Kingsport Carousel Project recruiting volunteers to help paint

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -

An old fashioned carousel with hand-carved animals is getting closer and closer to completion, we're talking about the Kingsport Carousel Project. But as quickly as carving finishes, painting needs to begin and that's why volunteers are needed for the next painting session.

Thousands of hours have been spent sanding, carving, and whittling one-of-a-kind animals soon to be gracing an old fashioned carousel in Kingsport. But there's still a lot of work to be done. "We have to finish the rest of the platform animals, we also have to refurbish the carousel machinery, plus build the carousel building," said Project Leader Reggie Martin.

That's precisely why this project needs help, we've learned a whopping 33 animals will go round-and-round but so far only 12 are complete. "As the carvers finish the animals we need decorative painters to come in and paint the animals," added Martin.

And it could be you doing the painting. The lead artist is holding instructional classes for volunteers to help bring the animals to life, but the class is quickly filling up. "It doesn't matter if you have a background in painting or not. Because the instruction is very good and a lot of our artists and carvers have never done stuff before," added Will Stephanos with City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts.

Besides building the carousel, there's a greater goal being built. "This whole project is about community. What we're trying to do is get as many people involved in the project as possible," added Martin.

After two training classes you can begin painting the animals. Those classes are Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm at the Lynn View Community Center. We've learned it costs $50 to register and the first painting session is January 8th.

If you would like to register call the City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Art at (423) 392-8414.