Round and Round – Part Two

I shared a bit about the Albany Historic Carousel and Museum and I showed you a few things from the painting room.  Now I’d like to take you into the carving room where raw wood is shaped and carved and comes to life.  It’s an amazing place – you could spend a lot of hours there.  Each carousel animal starts with an illustration of the finished piece.  Then blocks of wood are chiseled and sanded and shaped into reality. It’s amazing to see the process as each step progresses.  All around the carving room are carousel animals in different stages.  Look on the shelf below the carved horse.  The tail is finished – waiting to be added to the body.Once the body is finished, details are added.  First they are drawn onto the wood. . .Then, with careful precision, they take shape.Some carvers had ‘props’ to help them develop accurate perspective.This cute bear has glasses.  I can’t wait to return and see her when she’s finished.Her basket has already been carved and is waiting for her.The carvers are all volunteers.  You can see that they spend many, long hours to make each carousel animal become reality.  They are committed to their work and their dream to see the carousel in action.Because of their hard work – and their passion – someday I may be able to watch my grandchildren ride the Albany Historic Carousel.  And I may be riding right beside them!