MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Master carousel carver and restorationist Todd Goings will be the featured speaker at the next the Ohio State University at Marion lecture series, Buckeye Talks on Tap. Goings will present a lecture titled “The Art of Carousel Restoration” on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:30 p.m.
The event will be held at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, on The Dock, located at 320 W. Center St. in Marion.
Goings, a National Endowment of the Arts Heritage Fellow and the founder of Carousel and Carvings, will draw upon his 35 years of experience in preserving the art of American carved wooden carousels.
According to the Carousel and Carvings website, Goings’ company is the only manufacturer in the nation offering in-house services for both building and restoring complete carousels. The company highlighted the historical significance of these “participatory folk-art environments,” noting that only about 150 of the original several thousand wooden carousels built between the 1880s and 1930s still exist. Goings has worked on numerous antique carousels and is credited with revitalizing the American carousel workshop for the modern era.
Buckeye Talks on Tap is a monthly lecture series held on the second Tuesday of each month, modeled after the international Science Cafe phenomenon. The series aims to foster engaging conversations between academic and community experts and the public in a relaxed setting.
Throughout the series, Ohio State faculty and other community experts share insights on a variety of timely subjects, including environmental issues, astronomy, agriculture, health and wellness, linguistics, crime, local engineering efforts, food safety, and Ohio migration patterns. The goal is to bridge the gap between the university and the community through open discussions on thought-provoking topics relevant to the Marion regional area.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy food and drinks during the lecture. Doors will open at 5 p.m., allowing time to place orders before the lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. A question-and-answer session will follow at 6 p.m. Those attending the May event will have a chance to win a door prize provided by Marcie DeWitt from Anchor and Away Travel.
Ohio State University at Marion, established in 1957, is one of four regional campuses of Ohio State. The 186-acre campus provides access to Ohio State’s academic resources and offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in various fields. The university emphasizes a supportive community and aims to provide students with engaging and inclusive learning experiences to prepare them for meaningful careers.