First Newsletter in a
Long Time
We have recovered from last year's computer
crash, reconstructing our mailing list. This newsletter was sent to our
entire address book, which is everyone to whom I (Robert Ferre) have sent
an email. If you receive more than one copy, have a different address,or
want to be removed from the list, please contact me, (robert@labyrinth-enterprises.com).
Facilitator Training in
Oregon, September 21-23
I will be giving a weekend facilitator
training in Portland, OR on the above dates. Seating is limited and likely
to fill fast. For general information on my trainings, see training.
For a flyer on the Oregon event, click here: Flyer2.pdf.
Labyriinth Enterprises,
LLC, to Go Non-profit
The spirit of our work has always been
to promote labyrinths in the world. Yes, we sell labyrinths, but we also
have an extensive website with hundreds of links and much information
about labyrinths, as a public service. Our sensitivities and mission will
best be continued in the hands of a non-profit organization. Whether we
will start a new foundation or be aquired by an existing one is not yet
clear. I am pleased to know that my 11 years of hard work and our proprietary
labyrinth tools and techniques will not be lost.
Volunteer Workers Welcomed
Our crew travels the country installing
labyrinths. Usually we have four of our own workers. In some cases, however,
we arrive with three or even two, engaging local workers to complete the
team. We welcome volunteers who would like to work on a professional installation.
We pay for room and board. If the volunteer likes the work, we may use
him or her in a subsequent installation, as a paid member of the crew.
Labyrinth Master Class
a Success
Our second labyrinth-making master class
was held April 13-15. at our St. Louis studio. This is the only training
that concentrates solely on teaching all aspects of making labyrinths.
With both lectures and hands-on projects, participants left fully prepared
to go home and make labyrinths. The studio is a wonderful setting. At
8,000 square feet, it offers plenty of space. We believe it is the only
studio in the world dedicated to making canvas labyrinths.
The Mystery of the 12
Ribs
Along the upper exterior walkway at Chartres
Cathedral, on the flat roof on the south side of the choir, are several
small dormers unseen from below. They have creaky wooden doors that open
to reveal small storage areas. The first time I entered one of them, I
was shocked to see the ceiling. It had a central pilar with twelve ribs
radiating out. Why? Were they practicing? The cathedral itself does not
have ribbed vaults, which became popular during the flamboyant era decades
later. Who went to all of that work for something no one would see? The
walls are made of huge pieces of stone weighing tons, that had to be lifted
up to that height. Why didn't they just use bricks? Or smaller stones?
I have my theories, which I will discuss at the Midwest Labyrinth Gathering
(see article above). Hint: It's not about appearance. What is inside
is as important as what is visible.
50th Visit to Chartres
My first visit to Chartres was in 1965
as a college student. In March, I went to France and Hungary, including
a visit to Chartres -- my 50th over a period of 42 years. And you know,
there are still many things I haven't seen or done.I can't wait to get
back again. Perhaps in the fall.
To home
page of
Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC.
Click on photos for
larger
picture and more details.
Midwest Labyrinth Gathering, June 15-17
Special guest speaker: Robert Ferre of
Labyrnth Enterprises, LLC (Topics: Chartres and the secret of the labyriinth)
*** Network with labyrinth enthusiasts and facilitators *** Experience
a variety of labyrinths *** Attend workshops and roundtables on many topics
*** Display and share your work in the resource area *** Enjoy interactive
music with the “Dhyana Ensemble” *** Come to the Drumming Circle
and Camp Fire *** For information and registration, see: http://labyrinths.org/waycross/
Cancer Stuggle Lost
My beloved wife, Ruth Hanna, died in
the Arms of Love on January 24, 2007, after a six-year cancer journey.
Photos, poems, and material from her memorial service are available on
her website: www.1heart.com. There
is also aguestbook if you would like to leave a comment or read what others
have said.Without her presence in my life and her help with my work, I
am now moving up my retirement as soon as possible. Be assured, the work
of Labyrinth Enterprises will continue (see related article).
Promising New Labyrinth Material
Our most popular on-site installation
technique uses polymer concrete in a new way, surpassing the limitations
of stain and other traditional decorative concrete media. Far more durable,
polymer concrete will last indefinitely, although it will slowly fade
through the decades. Ultimately, the power of ultra violet rays wins out
over pigment. Now, we are offering a new material which is comprised of
powdered granite in an acrylic base. The color is from the natural granite,
so the range is more limited. There is no pigment, only stone, so the
color will never fade or change. We look forward to making a prototype
labyrinth using this material.
Near Perfection
Surfers travel the world seeking the
perfect wave. Weathermen talk about the perfect storm. We, in turn, are
always striving for the perfect labyrinth installation. Our project at
InterMountain Medical Center in Murray, UT, (Salt Lake City area) came
as close as we have gotten. Okland, the general contractor, provided a
very nice concrete slab. Our cutting and coloring was exquisite, if I
say so myself. Our new lunation-cutting tool worked like a charm (we call
it the lunar lander).The weather gave us little problem, and the local
restaurants kept us very well fed (our motto: work hard, eat well). Our
crew included Chuck Hunner (foreman), Pamela Fillmore and David Blonski
(future foremen), Joel Miller (volunteer) and myself. To see Chuck's daily
blog of our progress, go to his website, www.goldenspirit.com.
Recent Publicity
The St. Louis Post Dispatch ran
an article about our studio on the front of the local section, with a
photo that covered half the page. St. Louis Magazine published
a full-page photo of me with a facing page of biography. We were the subject
of an interview on the radio for the Osgood Files. Several journalists
quoted us in their articles, after telephone interviews. And most recently,
a reporter shadowed me for a day to do a major piece for the alumni magazine
of my alma mater (Denison University, Granville, OH). Last fall, our all-woman
crew was featured in an article in the Carson City, NV, paper. They were
installing a concrete labyrinth at a new cancer center.
