The Carousel Project is a joint effort of volunteers, Engage Kingsport, and the Cutural Arts Division of the City of Kingsport’s Park and Recreation Department.  Volunteers are from Kingsport and Soddy Daisy, TN (associated with the Horsin’ Around Woodcarving School).  We will also have an animal carved by a carving club in Missoula, MT.

Project Consultant: Bud Ellis of Soddy Daisy, TN is a master carver who led efforts to build two carousels in Chattanooga, TN (Coolidge Park and Chattanooga Zoo).  He operates the Horsin’ Around Woodcarving School in Soddy Daisy.  Bud is a consultant for the Kingsport project.  He and his students have carved more than 500 carousel animals.

Soddy Daisy Carvers: Several carvers who worked with Bud on the Chattanooga projects have volunteered to carve animals for the Kingsport project.  Several animals are currently underway by these carvers and one horse has been finished.

Kingsport Carvers: There are currently 18 carvers in Kingsport working on animals.  Some have attended the Horsin’ Around Woodcarving School and some are learning to carve at the Kingsport Carousel Carving Studio located at the Lynn View Community Center in Kingsport.