Profile

My practice as a landscape architect and artist connects people to the world of nature around them and to each other.

During art school, engaging with events outside the studio inspired me. Interactions with people and places sparked my work, and I found the nascent field of public art a good match for my inclinations. The dynamics of creating public art – working with collaborators ranging from urban planners, design professionals and other artists, to citizens who care deeply about the public realm, and with the social and natural history of places – enabled me to act on my belief that beauty but also utility are important.

Public art is useful. It has the potential to open people to new thoughts, increase understanding and empathy, challenge assumptions, make a point. It contributes to placemaking, expresses community aspirations, reveals history, raises environmental awareness, elevates the aesthetic quality of a place. Public art’s benefits are tangible, revealed over time, and long-lasting.

Beauty and utility connect public art and landscape architecture. After nearly two decades as a public art administrator, I shifted focus to more directly impact the design of a broader range of public places and to attune my personal artistic practice with my work life.

Working with landscape architects on public art projects for state buildings, I realized this profession could employ my sensibilities as an artist and skills acquired as a public art administrator – and importantly, combine beauty and utility. I sought training in urban design, planning and site design, attained a graduate degree in landscape architecture, and after subsequent work experience and passing arduous exams, a professional license in the State of Minnesota.

My current practice involves public engagement, urban design and planning guidelines, site planning and planting design, program development at the municipal level, project management, and creative non-fiction writing. Recently I’ve added web design and social media capabilities. Clients are primarily state and municipal governments and non-profit environmental and cultural organizations.

With the experience of a landscape architect and the perspective of an artist, I approach each new challenge with creativity – and dedication to both beauty and utility.

Professional License and Affiliations

Landscape Architect, Minnesota License #48952
American Society of Landscape Architects (National and state chapters) since 2001

Expertise

Licensed Landscape Architect, Minnesota
Program Director
Project Manager
Writer, Researcher and Educator
Landscape Photographer and Videographer
Web and Blog Content Author

Capabilities include

• Broad experience with architects, engineers and other designers;
  integrating well with interdisciplinary teams.

• Defining, developing and directing state and municipal programs
  working with legislators, agency heads, staff and boards.

• Proposal strategy, development, writing and presentation;
  creating new opportunities.

• Site and planting design, construction documents and specifications,
  observation through installation.

• Planting plans and technical structures for transportation infrastructure
  and streetscapes.

• Clear and convincing design presentations and events using
  innovative public engagement techniques.

• Web and blog content author and effective social media communications.

Professional Experience

Landscape Architecture, Public Art Services, Photography, Writing.
Independent Consultant: Art • Landscape • Design LLC, Saint Paul, Minnesota. 1994-present.

Landscape Designer and Project Manager. HNTB Corporation Architects and Engineers.
Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2007-2010.

Program Associate, Art in Public Places Program. Minnesota State Arts Board, Saint Paul,
Minnesota. 1988-1998.

Coordinator, Percent for Art Program. Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison, Wisconsin. 1981-1988.

Fine Art Photographer. Website: reginaflanagan.photography.  1977- present.