Carla grew up in the bustling San Francisco Bay Area and then moved to New Mexico, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology and History. After graduating, she taught school for a year, and then began exploring the art of pottery. “When you look toward the type of life you’d like to lead, then all kinds of opportunities begin to open up.” It was during this exciting journey into the arts she met her husband, Ross Ward.

Ross was an artist who grew up in South Dakota. By the time he was 2 years old he was drawing, painting, and exploring the creative arts with the support of his parents. As a young man he worked in a car museum where he was allowed to paint murals, create animations, and learn about the workings of the museum world. As an adult he worked as a scenery artist painting carnival rides. Ross did this work for more than 30 years. In his spare time, he began to carve and create small figures that would later be part of Tinkertown. In fact, one of Ross’ favorite sayings, which hangs at Tinkertown, says, “I did all of this while you were watching television.

Carla and Ross married in 1980. As they traveled around together, painting carnival scenes, they began working on the concept of creating a roadside attraction where Ross could house his Western-themed miniatures and Carla could sell her pottery and crafts. They opened Tinkertown in 1983 and the museum has received visitors from April to October ever since.

“All dreams are possible—everything is possible if you want to do it,” Carla says. “Make a plan, stick with the plan, and stay focused on it. There are more creative ways to solve problems than simply throwing money at it.” When Carla and Ross were not working on their art or hosting visitors at the museum, they were becoming world travelers, sailing the open seas with Carla’s brother. Carla has toured some wonderful places, including Turkey, Panama, Australia, Cypress, and Egypt. When her brother was finished sailing, the boat became a part of the museum.

“Ross was great at recycling things and turning them into art. He had the vision and I was totally onboard with it. He had an incredible imagination and a great sense of humor. Even when he became ill with Alzheimer’s at 55, he was still working on his art.”

Ross passed away in 2002. Carla has bravely and joyfully kept Tinkertown open. “This has always been a seasonal operation, built on purpose. We are open every day.”

Carla enjoys the diversity that comes from receiving visitors for seven months of the year, and then taking five months in between to travel, enjoy life, and discover some of the small treasures that she then makes available in the museum’s delightful gift shop.

“I have a locator map at the museum with little pins in it that show the places in the world where the visitors have come from. We have received visitors from Romania and Russia, from Japan and New Zealand, from Europe, Canada, and New York. At the end of every year we pull out all of the pins and start over. We see 20,000 visitors each season.”

It has been a goal of Carla’s to keep the museum affordable so children and senior adults can enjoy the charms of Tinkertown. This little museum is a place where every generation can experience fun and wonder. It is a great spot for families to spend time together.

Teachers are welcome to bring their students to discover Tinkertown’s treasures. People in their 20s and 30s who enjoyed Tinkertown as children are now bringing their children to share in the joy of this unique environment.

Tinkertown is located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway in Sandia Park. For directions, check out the Tinkertown website at www.tinkertown.com or call (505) 281- 5233. Tinkertown is open from 9-6, seven days a week. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.

Connie Thompson is a writer, director, and producer of creative, corporate, and motivational video scripts, articles, and press releases. Contact her at (505) 944- 1977 or at multimediasavvy@aol.com.