International Village Wildlife Museum
Donation protected
Art Ledger was the first African-American taxidermist in the United States to own and operate a private taxidermy business, A&K Taxidermy. This is also the site of Art's School of Taxidermy, the first state certified taxidermy school in Ohio. Art co-founded the State of Ohio Taxidermy Association and West Virginia Taxidermy Association and served on both boards for many years.
Art has practiced taxidermy in Cleveland, OH for over 40 years and is a valued member of his community. A veteran of the Vietnam War and a committed community member, Art leads initiatives with neighbors on community gardens and charity projects to support the International Village neighborhood, known for it's diverse mix of residents from all over the world.
Now (mostly) retired, Art wants to continue giving back by transforming his shop into The International Village Wildlife Museum. Located on West 48th Street, this museum will serve as an educational resource for the local community, wildlife enthusiasts, and cultural adventurers seeking unique experiences. Visitors can expect to see custom "mounts" of local Ohio wildlife, from fish to fowl, and tools of the trade, while learning more about Art Ledger's story and the fascinating art of taxidermy.
Funds from this effort will go towards updating displays and transforming the space from a shop to a museum. This includes light construction, building or purchasing of display furniture, building or purchasing of new mounts, and converting media to digital, among many other details.
We are also accepting donations of frames and display cases. Please contact us if you have something that may be of use! We are not accepting donations of taxidermy for use in the museum, but we will accept them for use in a raffle. In addition to donations, we are recruiting new members to the museum board.
Thank you for your support!
Art has practiced taxidermy in Cleveland, OH for over 40 years and is a valued member of his community. A veteran of the Vietnam War and a committed community member, Art leads initiatives with neighbors on community gardens and charity projects to support the International Village neighborhood, known for it's diverse mix of residents from all over the world.
Now (mostly) retired, Art wants to continue giving back by transforming his shop into The International Village Wildlife Museum. Located on West 48th Street, this museum will serve as an educational resource for the local community, wildlife enthusiasts, and cultural adventurers seeking unique experiences. Visitors can expect to see custom "mounts" of local Ohio wildlife, from fish to fowl, and tools of the trade, while learning more about Art Ledger's story and the fascinating art of taxidermy.
Funds from this effort will go towards updating displays and transforming the space from a shop to a museum. This includes light construction, building or purchasing of display furniture, building or purchasing of new mounts, and converting media to digital, among many other details.
We are also accepting donations of frames and display cases. Please contact us if you have something that may be of use! We are not accepting donations of taxidermy for use in the museum, but we will accept them for use in a raffle. In addition to donations, we are recruiting new members to the museum board.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Underwood
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
Art Ledger
Beneficiary
