Empire State Carousel

In 1995 my father and I were asked to carve a scenery panel for the Empire State Carousel. We were given the challenge to come up with some scenes that represented the Southern Tier of NYS, our home town. Gerry Holzman, project founder and organizer, sent us a 3'x4' wood frame. We drew our scenes and carved them into the wood. I did Mark Twain famed author and resident of Elmira NY, my father and brother Chris carved an Iroquois Indian, and Roger Westgate, , renowned woodcarver from Candor, NY carved oak leaves and acorns around the corners.

Empire State Carousel

This is a sketch of Mark Twain that I did as I was planning my section of the scenery panel for the carousel's inner ring of pictures. We were asked to carve frames that represented our region of New York State. Other carving groups around the state were asked to carve scenes into their panels as well. All of the panels now frame the inner ring of the carousel and can be viewed while riding the carousel. The frames are 3'x4' and consist of linden wood.Here is a picture of the Empire State Carousel as it is being readied for operation in Cooperstown, NY.

The carousel is now open at the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown New York.