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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 entreprenurial enterprise, mostly real estate. 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. I live in a village-like suburb of St. Louis (Webster Groves).

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. I believe I can safely say that I'm the world's most prolific labyrinth maker of hand-made labyrinths. Including canvas, permanent outdoor, and temporary versions, our company has made some 1,000 full-size walkable labyrinths, ranging from 12 feet to 104 feet in diameter. My colleague David Tolzmann at the Labyrinth Company claims to have produced far more labyrinths, but his canvas ones are printed on a plotter and the on-site ones installed by sub-contractors. So I believe we have personally made more labyrinths than anyone else.

Author
Since there was little information about labyrinths when I first began this work, I wrote a number of books and manuals, which can be found on the product page (products). I have also had the privilege to write the introductions to several labyrinth books published by other authors. I intend to write the ultimate labyrinth instruction book, but that may not happen until I retire.

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.

Labyrinth Society
In 1997 and 1998 I organized labyrinth conferences here in St. Louis which led to the founding of the Labyrinth Society. 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 have been a presentor or keynote speaker at all of the national gatherings since 1999. 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.

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 13 years of experience.

Retirement
I will be retiring from active labyrinth building on my 66th birthday, July 21, 2010. The future of Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC, after that date is uncertain. Judy can take over the canvas division and the studio. Meanwhile, I have been seeking someone to buy the assets and intangibles of Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC, who would like to continue this business. I would work closely with the purchaser to transfer much of my knowledge and ideas. There would be a significant financial component to the purchase of the business, based on solid economics.

Denison University
Article on me in Denison Magazine, the alumni publication of my alma matter: Robert

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