David Thornburg, 58, said he was always enthralled with nature. He used be an avid hunter and fisherman, and he worked as a self-employed land developer in Santa Fe, NM for thirty years. When the housing market crashed in 2008, the land development business was left crippled, and Thornburg said he was forced to reevaluate his career. Having already researched taxidermy for one of his sons, he said he decided to try it for himself. Thornburg sold his motorcycles to provide money for his family and went to New York to apprentice with a taxidermist. Upon his return, he opened up ‘Dave’s Wildlife Studio’ in the woodshop behind his house. Thornburg said he enjoys the creative aspect of Taxidermy because dead animals lose many of the aesthetics that made them beautiful creatures. He said his goal is to bring them back to life, at least seemingly.
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Ella Daniel/ @ella_daniel7 | December 3Luminarias stand on display at Hanging of the Greens in front of the Student Union Building on Dec. 1, 2023.
Grad Union
John Scott / Daily Lobo / @JohnSnott | December 2A sign reads "OUR UNION IS HERE TO STAY" at a rally held in support of the United Graduate Workers of the University of New Mexico in September 2021.