The Autism Awareness Carousel

Project

An overview of my basic idea....

Margaret Franklin, artist and autism rights activist

The Autism Awareness Carousel Project...

“Who Needs a Carousel?”Interesting question...initially, it could almost be considered akin to “Who needs candy?” Well, nobody actually NEEDS candy. It just tastes good. Just as there are more things the community actually needs more than a carousel, such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, etc. Especially in light of the fact that we're in the midst of a recession these days.

But carousels are more than just fun and frivolity. The Autism Awareness carousel presents artists an opportunity to share their imagination with the public. The Autism Awareness Carousel will consist of, but not be strictly limited to, animals and art designed and created by people on the autism spectrum. Money raised by this carousel and its adjacent facilities will help people on the spectrum with education and employment opportunities.

My on-line creative team and I have brainstormed various ideas in terms of location: zoos, children's museums, a permanent location at the CNE, a portable carousel traveling with “Cirque de Soliel”...all these are just ideas. In it's ideal situation, the following is what I have in mind:

I would like the carousel to be part of a facility that is open year-round with a tea-room open for luncheons, receptions, etc. and a gift shop/gallery where artists can sell their works. Here is my rough sketch of the basic concept:

I realize that this rendering does not include the kitchen, and in ideal circumstances, the line between “Main Entrance” and “Sliding Door” might also lead to an entire cultural arts centre: a complex of various shops, museums and possibly a theatre for concerts and presentations.These are some of the animals I've designed for the carousel so far:

I welcome the work of other artists to design a variety of animals, vehicles, etc. The carousel will have to include at least 2 wheelchair accessible chariots with seats that give riders the choice of hard board or soft cushions. The carousel will lit with soft LED lights and housed in a tinted glass rotunda to allow natural sunlight without being too harsh.

I will be presenting this document to a variety of people whom I hope can help make this dream a reality. We realize that this is a VERY BIG project and it will take a lot of money, time, work and resources. In the meantime, while I search for helpful contacts, I plan to raise funds by putting money aside from my craft sales, especially my Autism Awareness teddy Bears and Traveling Dolls:

Both these products sell for $15.00 or any 2 for $25.00

You can contact me at nilknarf64@sympatico.ca for further information about my products. Hand-embroidered T-shirts are also available on request including this design, particularly relevant to the Autism Awareness Carousel Project.

Updates will be seen regularly in my “Planet Nilknarf” newsletters, appearing monthly in Scribd and in the Autism Awareness Carousel Project group on Facebook.

Ideally, since I live in Oshawa, I'd like the carousel to be right here in town, but anywhere along the lake shore between Oshawa and Toronto would be okay.

Fund Raising Ideas:After further research I've come across some of the following ideas!

1. “Adopt-a-Horse”: Groups or businesses can sponsor carousel animals, chariots, etc. at various rates. Prices for horses vary between $4,400 for a small, inside-row figure to

$7,000 for the larger animals on the outside row.2. Fund-raising raffles: The grand prize would be that first prototype, or “practice” horse

that does not go on the carousel, but is awarded as the grand prize. Other prizes could include various craft items such as T-shirts, dolls, etc.

3. Yard/craft sales. I have a variety of items for sale, including my AACP embroidered T-shirts and plan on contributing more than half the funds toward this project.

4. Benefit concerts and music festivals.

Things we'll need:1. Volunteers2. Property3. Workspace4. Tools & Materials5. Finances

Examples of Similar Facilities already in existence:

Left: The magnificent Faust Park Dentzel carousel is housed in a building with a glass rotunda to display it and the building also houses a beautiful gift shop and a spacious dining room for banquets and receptions.Right: The Greenville Cultural Arts Centre used to be an old school. Classrooms are now used as art galleries and their colourful Armitage-Herschell track machine carousel is housed in what used to be the school gymnasium. I photographed this view from up in the bleachers.

Below: The Conneaut Lake Carousel, a Muller frame with new carvings by the Carousel Works of Mansfield, Ohio, is decorated with pictures of local landmarks, such as this old gas station: