HART

Heard County’s Newest Art Project

The latest project of the Heard County Art Association (HART) is a walking labyrinth.

What is a LABYRINTH and how does it differ from a MAZE? 
     Labyrinths and mazes have often been confused and the terms are often used interchangeably. 
     A maze is defined as a puzzle to be solved.  It has twists and turns, choices to be made, and it can have multiple entrances and exits.   
     By contrast, a labyrinth is a form of walking meditation with one continuous path which leads you to the center and out again.  A labyrinth is a meandering path with a purpose- a place of tranquility where you can relax and connect with your thoughts.  Labyrinths are often found at churches and hospitals, and walking the labyrinth is meant to calm the mind. 
According to the Labyrinth Society, which boasts over 800 members worldwide, there has been a resurgence in labyrinth interest in recent years. Their labyrinth locator database presently lists 2,097 labyrinths in the United States- 33 of those in Georgia.  For interesting labyrinth information, visit their website at http://labyrinthsociety.org.

HART has received funding for materials for this project from the West Georgia Community Foundation.   The labyrinth will be located along the Franklin River Walk in the barrier strip which was established by the Heard County Development Authority to separate the Franklin Industrial Park from the River Walk.  The site, about 1/8th mile from the Chattahoochee Flint building, is beautiful and has a view of the river, the woods and the walking path.  The land is being made available to HART through the generosity of the Heard County Development Authority who owns the land and the barrier strip and, now that a specific site has been selected, work should begin on the clearing and leveling of the lot this month.

The design of the labyrinth is unique and is in the shape of a kite to honor the electrical experiments of Benjamin Franklin, our town’s namesake, and the name HART has given the project is “Franklin’s Kite Labyrinth”.  The walking surface will be crushed gravel with stone lane dividers.  There will be seating at the beginning of the labyrinth as well as at the center to allow walkers to sit and meditate.  This seating will be poured concrete that will be covered with stained glass mosaics which will be executed by HART members and other interested parties.  HART says they are also hoping to find volunteers with concrete forming and pouring experience to help with the seat construction.

If you would like to learn how to make stained glass mosaics, please contact the email, P.O. Box or phone number listed below to get your name on the list for future Mosaic workshops by the Heard Co. Art Association.  We consider this to be a community project and, as always, encourage your participation and support. 

Contacts for the project: email: artimus30217@yahoo.com; HART, P. O. Box 58, Franklin Georgia 30217; or phone 706-675-0422.

Wildlife is being added to the mural>