Hermit Thrush
Official Name: Twitter
Plaque Inscription: Mrs. Carolyn Shaver Sprague, Teacher
Sponsor: Carolyn Eisenmenger
Carver: Tracy Kochanski of Westfield, Massachusetts was intrigued to carve the Hermit Thrush. She thought the thrush, known for its beautiful call and illusiveness could not hide on a full-size carousel.
Raised in upstate New York for part of her childhood, Tracy realized her natural artistic ability and her love of horses at an early age. After earning a BFA from Syracuse University, she worked in the fields of illustration and elementary education.
Moving to western Massachusetts, Tracy discovered two antique carousels within ten miles of her home. The birth of her daughter in 1994 brought her two interests together, horses and carving. Tracy was inspired to carve a rocking horse for her daughter and has not stopped carving since. Carving carousel horses was a natural next step.
Tracy has been featured in several publications including the Carousel News and Trader, the New England Antiques Journal as well as online publications. Her work has been shown at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Ct.
Tracy’s favorite carving is a full-size carousel unicorn that can be seen on her website, www.CustomCarvedHorses.com.
Tracy remembers her childhood memory riding a carousel, “I closed my eyes. It felt like I was flying.”
Tracy Kochanski | EMAIL
