Tea and Talk: Building the Berkshire Carousel

Local Berkshire resident, Stephanie Talanian, will tell the story of how the dream of a Berkshire Carousel became a reality. A tea will be served after her presentation.

From the first piece of wood to the last coat of paint, the dream of Jim and Jackie Shulman turned a community project into a beautiful piece of art for all to enjoy. Hear the story of how two paid staff and 300 volunteers raised the funds, learned the art of building wooden horses and chariots and turned it all into an amazing carousel for young and old to ride.

Stephanie Talanian, a resident of Berkshire County for over 50 years, is a member of the group partnering with Berkshire Carousel, Inc. to raise the needed funds and operate the newly reopened carousel. She grew up riding the amazing carousels at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY and has loved all things carousel related since childhood. When the opportunity presented itself she volunteered for the original Berkshire Carousel project, where she learned to sand, carve and paint the horses. When the carousel ceased operations Stephanie joined with a small group of other volunteers to form Berkshire Collective Creations where they continue to carve and restore carousel animals. They have a studio at Greylock Works in North Adams, MA.