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Recent photo with new look (2010).
ROBERT FERRÉ
This biography, like the rest of the website, is in first person because I am my own webmaster, having written almost all of what you will read on this site. During the past 45 years I have had a twin career stream, making my living either as a craftsman or in some entrepreneurial enterprise, mostly in the real estate field. The latter included land development, brokerage, home-building, management, investment, and renovation. Hence, I have always used my hands and greatly love properly working and well-maintained tools. Looking back, it seems as if all of my previous life experience was preparation for founding and operating Labyrinth Enterprises. In July of 2011, several important changes occurred. I began the reorganization of the business for my retirement, I closed the studio in St. Louis, MO, and I moved to San Antonio, TX, to reside in the home I share with my wife, Linda Ricketts. After 23 years St. Louis, MO, I am glad to make a change to such a wonderful city. Our canvas labyrinths were made by Judy Hopen, the world's most prolific drawer and painter of portable labyrinths. Now that the studio is closed, watch for Judy to open her own studio and continue to offer labyrinths.
Craftsman
In the 1970s I made wire jewelry and sold it on Guadalupe Street
in Austin, Texas, and in craft shows nationwide. Subsequently, I worked
for a harpsichord maker (Richard Kingston), starting with a pile of lumber
and ending up with a beautiful musical instrument (mostly two-manual versions
based on an historical instrument built by Pascal Taskin in the 18th century).
Since 1996, I have made my living as a full-time
labyrinth maker and president of Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC. As Sears
doesn't seem to have Craftsman labyrinth tools, it was necessary to design
and build our own tools. From that, we introduced new materials and techniques
to make labyrinths, especially relating to concrete.
Author
Since there was little information about labyrinths
when I first began this work, I wrote a number of books and manuals. Formerly
available on our website, I am in the process of redoing them so they
can be directly downloaded. I have also had the privilege to write the
introductions to several labyrinth books published by other authors. Next,
I intend to write the ultimate labyrinth instruction book, based on my
16 years of experience.
Editor
In 1996 I wrote to Prestel, the German publisher
of the world's greatest labyrinth compendium, asking if I could have it
translated into English. Written by Hermann Kern in 1982, it was available
only in German. Besides raising money for the cost of the translation,
I served along with Jeff Saward as co-editor for the new English edition
(Through the Labyrinth). It took several years of work, but the
end result made it all well worth the effort. It is now out of print.
If you ever see one for sale, snap it up.
Labyrinth Society
In 1997 and 1998 I organized labyrinth conferences
in St. Louis which led to the founding of the Labyrinth Society (see www.labyrinthsociety.org).
This international organization continues to grow and serve those who
work with labyrinths. I served in a number of capacities but have now
stepped aside for the next "generation" of leaders. I was a
presenter or keynote speaker at all of the national gatherings from1999
through 2009. Some of these talks are included on this website under the
articles section.
Conducting Trainings
My two-day intensive facilitator training is designed for people who already
know something about labyrinths. I take a rather left-brained stuff-them-full-of-information
approach. My training includes such topics as sacred geometry, ritual
and ceremony, use in schools and hospitals, and much more. It also offers
hands-on experience in learning how to construct labyrinths. Each training
is customized for the audience. For more information, see training.
My favorite program is to give a master class in how to build labyrinths.
I do this once a year for veriditas, in San Francisco, and other times
when sponsored elsewhere.
Consulting and
Design
I find it very rewarding to share my knowledge with those who desire to
have a labyrinth. Consulting and design
are two ways that I do this, drawing on my 16 years of experience.
Retirement
I have now officially
retired. However, I hate to waste these many years of expertise which
I have developed. So, I have transformed the business into a collaborative
of labyrinth artists. I am available for consultation and technical advice.
The artists will be the ones on site, doing the actual installation. I
continue to be available for speaking engagements, along with my wife
Linda. With no actual bricks and mortar location for Labyrinth Enterprises,
LLC, I can perform my labyrinth work from anywhere in the world, on land
or at sea-- which is exactly my intention.
Denison
University
Article on me in Denison Magazine, the alumni
publication of my alma matter: Robert
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