Soft-Mount Taxidermy Artist Featured at Denver Expo
Loveland-based Sterling Fox Taxidermy showcases posable, interactive animal mounts for local collectors.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Wildlife
Live Poll
Would you feel comfortable displaying taxidermy designed for physical interaction in your home?
Artist Chandra Ahlquist of Sterling Fox Taxidermy presented 22 handcrafted soft-mount pieces at the recent Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Denver. These interactive animal mounts are designed for physical handling and display.
Why it matters
Collectors are increasingly seeking unique, handmade art that provides an interactive alternative to traditional, static taxidermy displays. This growing preference for customizable decor reflects a shift in how owners engage with wildlife-inspired pieces at home.
The artist showcased 22 individual soft-mount pieces at the Denver event. Sterling Fox Taxidermy produces fully posable and semi-posable mounts, with grizzly bears noted as the largest species suitable for this soft-body construction method.
The players
Chandra Ahlquist
The owner of Sterling Fox Taxidermy who specializes in creating handcrafted, interactive taxidermy mounts.
Sterling Fox Taxidermy
A Loveland-based studio that creates posable animal mounts for collectors and sells products through Etsy.
The details
Soft-mount taxidermy involves using soft-tanned pelts, such as those from legally hunted Canadian wolves, which are stretched and sewn over flexible armatures. To create the poseable body, the artist places hand-wrapped wire armatures into each leg and fills the torso with polyfill padding to allow for tactile interaction.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: Chandra Ahlquist displayed her collection at the Oddities and Curiosities Expo.
The Home Front
This development reflects a broader shift toward artisanal, unconventional home decor that prioritizes physical interaction over traditional mounting. It follows the documented rise of the oddities and curiosities niche market where consumers seek unique, handmade artistic alternatives.
If you are considering interactive taxidermy for your home, evaluate the available display space for posing the flexible armatures and ensure the piece fits your aesthetic goals. Always verify the source and legality of animal pelts when purchasing any wildlife art to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
The takeaway
Soft-mount taxidermy offers a tactile way to display wildlife art that traditional static mounts cannot match. When acquiring these handmade pieces, consider the level of interaction you plan to have and ensure the artist uses professionally tanned pelts for longevity.
Further reading
Learn more about local fauna and animal-related news in the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cowboy State Daily.
Live Poll
Would you feel comfortable displaying taxidermy designed for physical interaction in your home?
