living sculpture/living landscape

We care deeply about collaborating with local communities and municipalities to re-connect humans with nature in public spaces.

Nancy Winship Milliken Studio is a place-based environmental art studio committed to creating interactive spaces of art and nature that invite viewers to find joy and a re-connection in their relationship to the environment. The Studio is known for its site-specific, monumental, nature-centric public art in both urban and rural areas.

From Nancy: As an environmental artist working in different mediums with the common theme of a reverence for this earth, I explore approaches that strengthen our connection to the land. Defining the sculpture as “contemporary pastoralism,” I am inspired by our age-old relationship to nature as a way to consider ecological questions in the present.

We start with a question-based research approach to understand what is possible. We focus on the following four core principles in our work.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The Studio’s approach to Creative Conservation Projects often includes a wide range of professionals to engage in a collaborative design process. The creation of sculptural wildlands and environmental restorations calls for biologists, environmentalists, structural engineers, builders and landscape architects.The goal is to give voice to all ideas, and points of view that then become new and refreshing art and landscape design for spaces that are unique to their environment.

Site Specificity: Our creative process starts with researching local human and natural aspects of place. We gather local materials, and engage a local team of professionals and community members to create the work locally. Each unique installation or artwork not only reflects the landscape of where it is placed, but also of the cultural and natural history of the site.

Ecological Restoration: It is our goal to restore habitat and create sanctuary places for humans to enjoy and reflect on their relationship with nature while regenerating the land. 

Creative Conservation: Creative Conservation brings together art with conservation awareness and actions. 

Get to know the studio and learn how and why we work