Inner-Row Jumper - Belle
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Carver: SEESA
Painters: Julia Cartledge & Maxine MacKay
Size: 36" chest to rump
Status: finished
Sponsor: David J. Bechtel
Early in the project Richard Bechtel approached the Foundation about the possibility of having a woodworking group that he belonged to carve a horse for the carousel. Richard represents a group of senior citizens called the South East Edmonton Senior's Association (SEESA). Belle is the first horse for the Fort Edmonton Park Carousel to be carved by a group. Indeed their approach has resembled that employed over 100 years ago by the carving studios of the great carousel manufacturing companies of the time. Just as in the old days, Richard has been the "head man" on the project, while being ably assisted by eight others who have helped carve the body, legs and tail.
The group chose an exciting draped horse to carve. The mane and tail are especially interesting with their peekaboo effect. Artist Sharon Abbott based her design on a John Zalar pony that rides the Crescent Park Carousel in Rhode Island. As seen in this horse, Zalar gave his ponies spirited animation through his attention to the eyes, warm expressions, and intricate flowing manes. Zalar-the head carver for PTC after 1916-is ranked with Muller and Illions for creative genius. To make it suitable as an inner-row horse, Sharon added simple yet stylish trappings that resemble those on a Stein and Goldstein horse of about the same period.
Exhibiting awesome painting talents, Julia Cartledge and Maxine MacKay have turned the superbly carved Belle into a truly magical carousel horse. Especially outstanding is the enchanting shading in the area of the mane.