You Always Find Your Way to the Centre
It was May of 2019, when Regan Gorman began his association with the diocese of New Westminster. He was appointed Building Administrator of the Synod offices at 1410 Nanton Avenue by senior Synod staff and he was hired to be Verger of St. John’s, Shaughnessy (SJS) at 1490 Nanton Avenue by that parish’s lay and clergy leadership in a combined hiring where each entity would be partially responsible for Regan’s remuneration (which included lodging in the upstairs apartment located at 1410). Suffice it to say, the administration, maintenance, care, and organization of 1410 Nanton had since its establishment in July of 2015, never really developed into an orderly operation, with processes, protocols and policies. Regan quickly took care of that and the many quirks of 1410 Nanton were addressed, with the principal benefit being that the building is now a well-maintained and welcoming place to work, gather and rent.
After the first three years, which included the time of COVID-19, Regan decided that he would leave his position as Verger at SJS, move out of 1410 Nanton and take the same position at the nearby Parish of St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale. He remained in his role as Synod office building administrator. Regan has many skills both objective and subjective and wears many metaphorical hats, two of those are as a sign maker and as a production tech. All through his tenure on Synod staff, Regan has continued to work in both fields as a contractor. The specific skill set that we talked about for this interview brings together those skills and his recent vocation as a verger in the Anglican church and that is… the design, planning and creation of interior Labyrinths.
Thank-you Regan for taking the time to speak with me and share your experiences with folks who follow diocesan communications (and beyond [I hope]). Please give us a brief history of your background and the circumstances that brought you to 1410 Nanton in May of 2019?
Originally from Ontario, I spent most of my career in marketing and communications. After a stint as a consultant, I was asked by a longtime colleague to come to Vancouver. He and a group of investors were opening an FM radio station. I agreed to come to Vancouver for a year. After my contract was up, I realized how much I loved being out west. Searching for a way to live here, have a flexible schedule and be open to different opportunities, I took a job as a “live-in” caretaker for a condo in Kerrisdale. After a few years I saw the job at St. John’s and (now) Bishop John Stephens hired me. A few months later, The Synod office (on the same property) needed a building manager and then-Director for Property and Finance, Rob Dickson agreed to bring me aboard.
As someone with a history in marketing and advertising as both a planner and a creator what drew you to labyrinths?
To me they are a “triad” of elements I enjoy. Art, meditation and energy. Since their inception, Labyrinths have been thought to attract positive energy and while simplistic in design, the various designs and circuits (to me) offer a simplistic beauty. As for the meditative quality, I have always had an active brain and struggle with ADHD. Walking the labyrinth is one of the few things that allows me to narrow my focus and stay in the present.
Please supply a little bit of history of the labyrinths that you have created, their locations and circumstances?
I have happened into a variety of projects throughout my life and my foray into creating labyrinths is no exception. While working at SJS, the trustees had approved the removal of some pews to create a more open space that would be anchored with a labyrinth. The labyrinth had been designed by a local artist and the project was about to happen when the designer said they were not going to be able to handle the installation. The project was basically stopped in its tracks. Having a creative mind, a love for labyrinths and some technical knowledge I imagined a way where an adhesive stencil could be produced, applied then used to stain the labyrinth pattern on the freshly polished concrete. The result was beautiful and when St. Andrew’s- Wesley United Church was looking to incorporate a 40-foot diameter labyrinth into their seismic renovation, they asked to come see the labyrinth at SJS and meet with “the person who did it”. Shortly after I was hired to put the labyrinth on their new stone floor. That led to me doing the Labyrinth at McKillop United Church in Lethbridge following a flood that destroyed the one they'd had in their parish hall.
Describe the process, from negotiating the initial contract to the planning, creation, and installation of a labyrinth?
It is really a 3-step process. Once approached, whomever wants the labyrinth can choose either the 7 circuit or 11 circuit design we have already created, or we are able to design something unique. The final design (once approved) is digitized, and the digital file is sent to a plotter which cuts the outline of the stencil into 5 ft wide x 10 ft long panels. When I arrive at the location, I find the absolute center of the area they wish to have the Labyrinth installed and place the panels according to registration marks. Once we know that the panels all line up (there are 50 panels needed to create a 40ft. labyrinth), they are applied to the floor. Once the entire stencil is down, we “weed” (remove) the area to be painted or stained, apply the paint then once dry we remove the stencil. What used to take two people 3 weeks or more to create is now done in less than a week.
What has been the greatest challenge for you in your labyrinth work to date?
Age. To apply the stencil takes about 3 days and it is all on my hands and knees. It takes its toll which is why I am working on a device that will allow me to apply the stencil from a standing position – a sort of giant paint roller. I’ll let you know how that works out.
What surprised you the most doing this work?
Probably the way it came about and how the subsequent jobs came to fruition via “word-of-mouth”. That and the satisfaction I get from placing an indelible piece of work in such a wonderful place that will be seen by so many.
What do you feel has been your most satisfying accomplishment and why?
Figuring it out and making it work. As far as I know, this method of application has never been done before and while it seems simple and obvious, there is a lot to consider. The type of paint / stain and will that impact the stencil? Can I get the stencil to adhere well enough to create crisp lines? What is the best or most energetic colour to paint the labyrinth. I love that McKillop’s used a deep purple. It looked (and felt) amazing.
Has planning, creating and installing labyrinths informed other parts of your work life?
I think we are all skeptical when moving into new, uncharted territory. Having succeeded at using this “new” method has reminded me that we need to push through our doubts and hesitation as the satisfaction that lies on the other side of those feelings is spectacular.
Are you still entertaining requests for your labyrinth services?
I would love to do more labyrinths. Anyone interested can email me at regan@regangorman.com If there’s a will, there’s a way.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A special thanks to the Parish of St. John’s, Shaughnessy for trusting me with this project and being willing to be my “Beta Test”. Not only did it work out for them but gave me the confidence to proceed with others.
IMAGES
- Phase 2 at McKillop
- Phase 1 of the project at St. Andrew's-Wesley
- Phase 3 at SJS
- Completed labyrinth at St. Andrew's-Wesley
- Completed labyrinth at McKillop
- Regan and his best buddy, Aspen Photo Randy Murray
Photos: Regan Gorman