Almetto's Labyrinth...

My step-father, Tom Schulz, recently completed a compelling project in Charlotte, NC. He's an artist, and much of his work is creating Labyrinths made of stained concrete. This one was for a remarkable woman named Almetto Howey Alexander. I am sending congratulations! And I badly want to go to Charlotte next week and walk it, walk it with my children, and give this woman and big hug. Tom writes,

What is your dream?

Almetto Howey Alexander dreamed of a Labyrinth in 2002. She stayed the course until she walked the path. What is your dream, Pilgrim? And where does your journey take you? To Healing. And Meditation. To Education. And Community. Walk your every walk with Almetto. We need all the good we can get. Now and evermore. Thank you.



From my aunt Mary's web site, which is devoted to educating and fundraising for this project:
 
About the Design of the Labyrinth

In November 2007, Almetto Alexander attended the opening of the Jack Matney Memorial Labyrinth Courtyard, where she met Tom Schulz, the artist who designed and built the labyrinth and prayerwall located at Presbyterian Hospital's center courtyard.

In 2009, Artist Tom Schulz prepared a proposal for the labyrinth. He designed a specific labyrinth that, while based on the conventional eleven-circuit pattern, speaks to the ancient African origins of the labyrinth. His studies and to-scale painting interpret aspects of Almetto Howey Alexander's life journey through personalized symbolism, imagery and color. The top goal for 2010 is to raise $51,000 to prepare the location, pour the substrate, and to employ EnnisArts, LLC to bring the labyrinth to completion. [read more...]

“The labyrinth is my dedication to the Washington Heights [in the historic west end district of Charlotte, NC] community to inspire people of all ages to find a peaceful place to reflect, refocus, heal, meditate, find peace of mind and pray," says Mrs. Alexander.