The Menagerie

Ken Means’ first foray into carving began with a rocking horse for his daughters as a Christmas present during lean times. That one beautiful piece of art was the springboard for a lifetime love of crafting, and a 30-year journey of creating a menagerie of animals that would soon become, The Carousel of Dreams by Ken Means.

  • Alena the Little Unicorn

    Alena the Little Unicorn was graciously adopted by The Arender Family.

  • Carousel lion figure with decorative saddle and lights in a circus-themed setting.

    Braveheart

    Braveheart was graciously adopted by Middle Tennessee Electric.

  • Carousel dog figure on a stand in a dimly lit room, surrounded by draped fabric and string lights.

    Bronze Bear

    Bronze Bear was generously adopted by Alan & Grace Ledbetter Family.

  • Decorative donkey carousel figure on wooden base with draped ceiling and lights

    Burrito

    Burrito was graciously adopted by the Red Pony Restaurant.

  • Carousel horse sculpture in a dimly lit room with colorful lighting.

    California Bob

    California Bob was generously adopted by Dr. Mayor Ken & Linda Moore

  • Clarence Chariot

    Clarence Chariot was graciously adopted by Atmos Energy.

  • A vintage carousel horse on a wheeled platform with decorative lights and draped fabric in the background.

    Daisy

    Daisy was graciously adopted by Lee & Alecia Rose Family.

  • A carousel donkey with decorative elements in a lit indoor setting.

    Diego

    Diego was generously adopted by Deborah Keith Miller.

  • Decorative carousel deer with colorful saddle, set in an indoor venue with string lights and draped fabric above.

    Deer Spirit

    Deer Spirit was graciously adopted by Glenn & Leslie McGehee Family.

  • Two giraffe-shaped carousel figures with a butterfly on one nose, under decorative lights.

    Elliott

    Elliot was generously adopted by The Blanton & Castro Families.

  • A carousel ride shaped like a dog in a decorated indoor setting with string lights.

    Fang

    Inspired by a bronze sculpture of a rabbit being chased by a wolf, Fang brings a story to the carousel. With his tongue hanging out and eyes locked on Jack the rabbit just ahead of him, he captures the thrill of the chase, as he will always be one jump ahead, escaping capture.

    Fang was graciously adopted by Alan Simms & Roger Walters.

  • Carousel bear figure in an indoor setting with draped fabric and string lights.

    Honey Bear

    Honey Bear was generously adopted by Craig & Jenn Morrison Family.

  • A decorative carousel seahorse under a dimly lit ceiling with draped fabric and string lights in an indoor setting.

    Ikaika Seahorse

    Ikaika Seahorse was graciously adopted by Gallery 202 - Kelly Harwood & Ira Shivitz.

  • Carousel rabbit figure in a dimly lit setting with draped fabric and string lights overhead.

    Jack the Rabbit

    Jack the Rabbit was generously adopted by Jay & Kayla Sheridan Family.

  • A colorful carousel zebra with a black and white stripe pattern, decorated with orange flowers and green leaves, standing on a metal stand with decorated string lights and a draped fabric background.

    Jasper

    Jasper was graciously adopted by Berkeley Nance.

  • A detailed vintage carousel horse in an indoor setting with decorative lights and draped fabric hanging from the ceiling. The horse is mounted on a stable support stand with wheels.

    Jewels

    Jewels was generously adopted by Grace & Ivy Co.

  • Colorful carousel rooster with a saddle, surrounded by hanging blue drapes and string lights in a dimly lit setting.

    The Little Rooster

    The Little Rooster was graciously adopted by John & Barb Phair Family.

  • Carousel horse with ornate design in a warehouse setting, dramatic lighting.

    Llamrai King Arthurs Horse

    Llamrai King Arthurs Horse was graciously adopted in honor of of Julie, Eva & Carver.

  • A carousel horse on a stand in an indoor setting with draped fabrics and string lights.

    Nikita

    Nikita was generously adopted by Tom & Janine Moore Family.

  • A carousel horse with American flag design and gold accents, set in a dimly lit room with hanging drapes and string lights.

    Midnight Freeway

    Midnight Freeway was graciously adopted by Holladay Properties.

  • A carousel goat sculpture with ornate design, placed on a stand, set against a background of draped fabric and string lights.

    Punch the Goat

    Punch the Goat was generously adopted in memory of Truett Foster McKeehan. (The G.O.A.T.)

  • Two giraffe carousel figures indoors with string lights and draped fabric overhead.

    Rochelle Mother Giraffe

    Rochelle Mother Giraffe was graciously adopted by John & Barb Phair Family.

  • Colorful carousel horse in a dimly lit room with draped fabric and string lights overhead.

    Royal Armored Horse

    Royal Armored Horse was generously adopted by The Leep Family Foundation.

  • A colorful carousel horse on wheels in a dimly lit room with draped fabric and string lights in the background.

    Safer

    Safer was graciously adopted by Boxwood Insurance Group.

  • A wooden tiger carousel figure with a monkey and snake design in a brightly lit indoor setting with draped fabric and string lights.

    Shadow

    Inspired by the iconic tiger from The Jungle Book, Shadow had a long journey to the carousel. Ken Means first cut the pieces over five years before moving to Tennessee, but they sat untouched and tucked away under benches in his garage. After finishing Braying Donkey one morning, Ken rediscovered the original sketch, redrew the design and finally brought Shadow to life.

    He is full of playful nods to the Jungle Book world, including a long snake wrapped around him and a cheeky monkey eating a banana so realistic, kids try to touch it.

    Shadow was generously adopted by The Ronnie Wenzier Family.

  • Decorative carousel horse under string lights in dimly lit room; blue and purple drapes hang above.

    Stargazer

    A true original with a story as rich as its craftsmanship. After years of creating carousel horses for others, Ken Means realized he didn’t have one of his own. This led to Stargazer being born, and it was such a hit at show-and-tell events that it sparked the creation of even more horses.

    Inspired by the Parker style of WWI-era German carvers, Stargazer carries a touch of history and artistry in every curve.

    Stargazer has been generously adopted by Mia & Madeline McDowell.

  • A carousel horse with decorative roses indoors with ambient lighting and draped fabric ceiling.

    Sunday Winker

    A special carousel figure honoring a beloved horse whose spirit brought joy for nearly 25 years. She wasn't just any horse, she was a champion show horse and faithful companion through countless adventures.

    As a tribute, Ken Means carved Sunday as a foul, capturing her spirit with a single meaningful embellishment: a delicate rose on her shoulder.

    Sunday Winker was graciously adopted by The Jim Cross Family.

  • Ornate carousel horse on display with draped fabric and lights

    Tanasi

    Tanasi was generously adopted by Matt & Julie Brown Family.

  • A colorful frog sculpture resembling a carousel ride, mounted on a wheeled stand, with draped strings of lights in the background. The setting appears festive and illuminated.

    Toadsworth

    Toadsworth was graciously adopted by Jay & Marcia Franks Family.

  • A carousel horse adorned with colorful flowers and decorations, under hanging lights and draped fabric in a dimly-lit setting.

    Tsianina (Wildflower)

    Tsianina (Wildflower) was generously adopted by Ellie Ford & Family.

  • A vintage carousel horse in the center of the room with curtains and string lights overhead, illuminated by colorful spotlights.

    Wild Thing

    A one-of-a-kind bucking bronco brought to life by master carver Ken Means.

    Inspired by a lack of wild, dynamic figures on carousels at the time, Ken set out to create something bold, untamed and full of motion. Years later, Wild Thing is finally making its carousel debut, designed not just to turn heads but to ride with both thrill and safety in mind.

    Wild Thing was graciously adopted by the Franklin Rodeo by the Franklin Noon Rotary.

  • Colorful carousel horse with golden mane and tail, decorated with red and green saddle and harness, mounted on a wooden platform, inside a circus tent with draped fabric and string lights.

    Windwalker

    Windwalker was generously adopted by Walton’s Jewelry.

  • Decorative black carousel horse with colorful ornaments on a wooden base, surrounded by draped fabric and string lights in a dimly lit room.

    Zeus

    Zeus was graciously adopted by FirstBank.

Get Involved

Adopt an animal in the menagerie or become a donor