Our spirit is the part of us that transcends time and links us to the Divine.
The Art Line Project
Welcome to the Art Line!
The Art Line was envisoined as a line of walkable, interactive, outdoor
artworks stretching across the heart of America on the 39th Latitude.
Known as Earth Art, these geometric reflections of Nature's patterns are
created by artists, labyrinth enthusiasts, and local community members in the
14 states that stretch from California to New Jersey and the District of
Columbia. With art as a conduit, the Art Line fosters a sense of unity and
awareness by promoting a series of connections - between the individual and
Nature; between the community members themselves and by linking the communities
on the Art Line.
The
Art Line is a 28 mile wide band centered on the 39.1 north latitude between
38.9 and 39.3 degrees .
The line starts in California and runs across the heart of the country through
Nevada, Utah, Colorado,
Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Virgina, Maryland,
Delaware, and the southern tip
of New Jersey on the East Coast.
Why the 39th latitude?
The idea of a straight line across the country developed when Alex Champion saw an aerial photo of three earthworks he created on his land in Mendocino County, California. The three sites straddled a small flat hill and the end designs were invisible to each other from the ground. He discovered that they lay in a straight line.
In the spring of 2000, Alex began construction of the flower wand design
as an earthwork.
The idea then came to make a line of earthworks across the country
with the flower wand at each end.
Alex and Joan Champion and Marilyn Larson met at the home of Toby Evans
(just east of Kansas City, MO) in Nov. 2000 to install one of Alex's
earthworks.
This 55' diameter, 9-petal vesica flower design was laid out in sand with base
quartz crystal
near the existing Prairie Labyrinth. Toby called the installation "Chante Esti".
The four developed Alex's initial idea into the Art Line Project after
discovering the unlikely coincidence
that the earthworks at Toby's and the Champions were at the same 39 degree
latitude,
one fifth of a mile from being exact.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The 39th latitude has
historical significance that perhaps is just being re-energized by the Art
Line.
In addition to their multiple earthworks, the Great Serpent Mound in
south-central Ohio is on the line.
A 1987 visit to this site created by the Hopewell culture was the inspiration
for the mounded patterns developed by Alex Champion.
But predating this time is The Barnes Works (aka Seal Township Works) in Sergeants, Ohio. This was an enormous circle-square earthwork complex that included a Great Square perfectly aligned to the cardinal directions, built around 370 BC, making it older than Serpent Mound or Cahokia. The square was 30% larger than the base of the Great Pyramid at Giza.
They were part of a much larger complex, much of which remains intact, including over a dozen burial mounds and the famous Piketon Graded Way. This was the epicenter of the first great mound-building civilization in North America.Cahokia Mounds in Illinois is at 38.650 latitude.
The Barnes Works lie within a few feet of the 39th Parallel. This is no accident. Geoffrey Sea, present owner of the Barnes Works, discovered certain geometric-astronomic relationships at the site that account for its placement. The Great Square at Sergeants served as the prehistoric center for a cardinal grid that extended hundreds of miles in each direction.
In other words -- (in the words of Geoffrey Sea)-- The first great construction on the Art Line was the Barnes Square in 370 BC, which defined the proper latitude for sacred astronomical observation. Serpent Mound was then built at close to the same latitude at a fixed distance from the Barnes Square, in relation to it. Cahokia was then built at another fixed distance from the Barnes Square, also at about the same latitude (correcting for altitude and horizon differences). Non-coincidentally, the distance from the Barnes Square to Cahokia is exactly 20 times the distance as that from the Barnes Square to Serpent Mound. The prehistoric Indians used a base-20 number system. This axis of the Barnes Square - Serpent Mound - Cahokia is what defined the 39th Parallel as the central sacred latitude in prehistoric times. Another sacred line runs north-south from the Barnes Square, encompassing a whole other set of prehistoric earthworks.
Geoffrey Sea
1832 Wakefield Mound Road
Sargents, OH 45661
SargentsPigeon@aol.com
If you know of a labyrinth or sacred site on the 39th Latitude or plan on building a labyrinth on the line, please contact us if you would like to be added to the Art Line. This has become a "grass roots" project that will grow with your help. Imagine sending energy "down the line"! It is not a coincidence that Washington DC is on the line.
EXISTING SITES ON THE LINE
CALIFORNIA
PHILO, CA -Gschwend Road,-------Alex
Champion, ac@earthsymbols.com
Right hand Cretan, earthwork, (62 ft.).......................1987
Double spiral, earthwork, (28 x 34 ft.).......................1989
Viking Horse Trappings, earthwork, (72 ft.)............... 1991
left hand Cretan, rock/earthwork, (78 ft.)..................1995
Infinity symbol, earthwork, (10 X 30 ft.).....................1997
2-Ring Cretan, earthwork , (22 x 28 ft.).....................1997
Vesica Triangle, earthwork , (32 ft.)...........................1997
Spinning Meander, earthwork, (38 ft.).......................1998
Vesica Figure 8, earthwork (38 x 44 ft)......................1998
4-Ring Cretan Earthwork (48 x 57 ft).........................1999
Flower Wand Design, earthwork, (25-50 x 142 ft.)....2000
GARDEN VALLEY, CA----Patricia Casey, healinghands77@ hotmail.com
Santa Rosa Labyrinth (64').- 2001
Progress House for Women Labyrinth: made with local metamorphic rock.
Private
GRASS VALLEY, CA
>
They asked to have the mandala be considered as part of the Art Line.
Geshe Yeshe Phuntsok and Geshe Lobsang Donyoe conducted a Twenty-one Tara
blessing for the Art Line Project
at the request of Joan Champion and Marilyn Larson.
Following the dissolution of the Yamantaka, packets of sand were presented for
inclusion at other Art Line sites.
SOUTH OF GRASS VALLEY, CA----Lynn Goodman
Chartres-style labyrinth, stone (40 ft)-1998
Private
FOREST RANCH, CA ----Anelle and Ted Kloski
Modified Cretan labyrinth with three turns at 3000 ft. elevation in the
Black Oak/Yellow Pine belt where the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges
meet. The concrete path is 1400 feet long- walking, in and out. It is 100
feet across.
Open to the public by appointment only.
SOUTH OF CARSON CITY, NV--- John Wayne Blassingame, Alex Champion and others
Left-hand Cretan Labyrinth, stone (30 ft).....1990s.
Stone 3-ring Cretan (18ft)......2001
MISSOURI
SIBLEY, MO- outside of Kansas City, MO--- Toby Evans toby@homeisp.com
Classical Seven-Circuit Labyrinth (166 ft)......March 23,1995
"The Prairie Labyrinth": Mowed paths in native prairie grass.
Aligned with the Seven Chakras
Built by Toby Evans & Mary K Barge.
Open by appointment only
SIBLEY, MO -Toby Evans
"Chante Esti" - 9 Petal Vesica design (55 ft)....Nov. 2000
Base quartz crystal in sand with flowers and herbs
Designed by Alex Champion.
KANSAS
CITY, MO ----M.E. Beth
Langley
"The 10 Acre Wood Man in the Maze Labyrinth" at Clay Platte Children's House Montessouri School (32 FT.)...Oct..2008
Contact: Andrea Plath Scott (816) 741-6940
email:cpchmontessori@ aol.comwww.cpchmontessori.com
5901 N.W. Waukomis Dr. Kansas City, MO 64151
Named for the Hopewell People who inhabited the area thousands of years
ago.
Cedar mulch and rock
Designer: M.E. Beth Langley. Installed by Langley, students, staff and
friends.
Open during school hours by appointment.
CENTRALIA , MO ----Barb and Charlie Kribbs: kribbs@ midamerica.net
Classical Seven-Circuit (130 ft).....May 23, 2003
Wildflower Labyrinth: Mowed paths in 1 acre plot of wildflowers.
Winter and summer photo
Private. By appointment only
COLUMBIA, MO---Robert Ferre
Chartres style all concrete labyrinth (42 ft.)......2005
Within walking distance of Boone Hospital. Open to the public.
Created by Labyrinth Enterprizes.
Contact robert@ labyrinthenterprizes.com
COLUMBIA, MO---Amy Company - ACompany@ columbia.k12.mo.us
Smithton
Middle School's Seven-Circuit Labyrinth. Created by Amy Company's Art classes. May, 2009.
Individual ceramic tile creations are used as the walls with mulch
paths. (30 ft.)
Open to the public.
ILLINOIS
FOSTERBURG, IL ----- Virginia M. Long
Seven-Circuit Labyrinth: (65') ......May, 2000
Private
MODESTO, IL ----- John Oaks
Modified Cretan seven-circuit Labyrinth: (65'x58')....2009
Location: Berean Church RD, Modesto, Illinois
3' wide grass paths and a 10' center area with curved bench. The
"lines" are pebbled cement and are flush with the ground
Private. Open by appointment johnoaks@hughes.net
Owners: John Oaks & Elliott Challandes
INDIANA
MORGANTOWN,
IN --- Gene Neidnagel:
gene@ waycrosscamp.org
Chartres style grass labyrinth (88ft.) .....1997
Waycross Episcopal Church and Conference Center:
Open to visitors and conference guests
7363 BearCreek Rd; Morgantown, IN 46160, (812)597-4241
Built by John Ridder and Dr. Tom Ferrara.
Dedicated by Bishop Ed Jones on June 21, 1997
INDIANAPOLIS,
IN---Danelle S. Bryant: aromaoils4u@ webv.net
Classical Seven-Circuit Grass Turf Labyrinth. (50ft ).....July, 2001
With swings and seating area in 8ft center. On an acre lot .
Private.
NORTH VERNON, IN---John Ridder, http://www. paxworks.com
Chartres style 8-Circuit Grass and mulch Labyrinth. (84
ft.).....2003
St. Vincent-Jennings County Hospital: Open 24/7.
KENTUCKY
COVINGTON, KY---- Bart Groeneveld
"Community
Faith Meditation Labyrinth"
Community of Faith Presbyterian Church, 1400 Highland Pike, Covington,
Kentucky 41011
Baltic wheel, 60 feet diameter, 7-circuits: Mowed grass
Dedication date : June 2008 Open to the public
Contact : Bart Groeneveld, 859-491-6744 (church member). Alternate: Rev. Don Smith, 859-331-3238 (church pastor)
OHIO
Great Serpent Mound, a thousand year old Native American earthwork
1/4 mile long, 15 to 20 ft. wide and 4 to 5 ft. high
Open to Public
LOVELAND, OH ----www.grailville.com
Grailville has two outdoors labyrinths which are free and open to the public.
The smaller labyrinth, in the Chartres design, is made of bricks inlaid in the ground and can be found behind the pine grove. The larger labyrinth, 200 feet in diameter and mowed in the grass behind the conference buildings, is one of the largest in the Midwest. Described as a Cretan labyrinth, the most universally used labyrinth pattern, its name refers to the Greek island of Crete and the labyrinth there, in the palace of Knossos. This pattern was chosen for Grailville’s first labyrinth because it has traditionally symbolized feminine spirituality and the universality of all religions.
VIRGINIA
ARLINGTON,
VA----Robert & Jane Buckman
3-Circuit
Classical Labyrinth: (13' 6'')........2000
Bricks and turf. Private.
NORTHERN VA ----- Karen
Rowe
Seven-Circuit
paving stone circular labyrinth
RECTORTOWN, VA---
Sananjaleen June Hughes, sananda@ erols. com www.1spirit.com/sananda
Left handed
Cretan, (36 feet)
The Sananda Labyrinth:
Assorted stones and mulch. Private garden, avaliable by appointment only
WINCHESTER, VA ---Rev. Dr. Hillary B. Smith
Medieval 8-circuit Vision Quest Design: Brick pavers (30
feet)……….Aug. 6, 2011
St . Paul on the Hill Episcopal Church - 1527 Senseny Rd.
Winchester, VA 22602
Always Open . Contact to schedule group visits –
MARYLAND
Bethesda, MD-----Marty Kermeen, Labyrinthsinstone.com
Exact Chartres Labyrinth Replica at Walter Reed Medical Center - 42’ 3 and 3/8” in diameter. Created by Marty Kermeen using red concrete pavers for the path. The lines are clay pavers with iron dust baked onto the surface. Installed- 2011. Open only to staff and patients.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND---David Tolzmann,
www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/labyrinth/index.html
Classical Seven-Circuit Labyrinth in pavers: (52 ft).
John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center: Public. Open 24 hours and lit at
night.
Wheel Chair accessible. 4940 Eastern Ave.- Baltimore. 410-550-0128.
BALTIMORE,
MARYLAND -- Rev. Jack
Sharp: www.govanspres.org
The Ellen Morriss Memorial Santa Rosa Labyrinth : (65 ft.).....1999
Govans Presbyterian Church: The largest Santa Rosa-style labyrinth on
the East Coast.
Crushed asphalt pathways and a grassy center.
Public - Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Illuminated at night. 5828 York Rd. 410-435-9188
Design by Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D.
MARRIOTSVILLE,
MARYLAND ---- www.bonsecours.org/bssc.
An outdoor
Chartres labyrinth:.............Feb.1999
Bon Secours Spiritual
Center: Inlaid with bricks, set in a one-acre wooded area on the grounds.
Created to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the
Congregation of Bon Secours of Paris, a religious order of women whose mission
is to provide "good help to those in need."
Open 24 hours to the Public
. 1525 Marriottsville Rd. 410-442-1320
CROWNSVILLE, MARYLAND---
Shane & Leah Odom, pathmaker@ wildmail.com
"The Green
Rose Labyrinth Garden"
5-Circuit Baltic Wheel (15
ft)......2002
Brick-in-Ditch in Garden
setting.
5-Circuit "Heart-of-Chartres"
(65 ft)......1999
900 ft.+ long nature trail
in woodland setting with central fire hearth.
Public-Open daily dawn to
dusk. Group use of fire hearth by appointment.
1397 Generals Hwy, (410)
923-2104
NEW JERSEY
"The Labyrinth in
My Backyard"
Size 30' by 40'
Date of installation: May
10, 2009
Seven Circuit-
Materials used (Rock, brick, prayer flags, and rope)
Open - second and fourth
Sundays of the month, from 2pm til 4pm.
Contact Michelle Bingnear :
609-827-4780
please send a description or photo if you have one. If you live on the Art Line and are inspired to
create a labyrinth, we will include it.
The location of any site can be determined by going to: