I understand landscape as embodied history. Stories abound from places carved by channels of water, and plants and trees arising from soil, where creatures dwell. Inspiration comes from memories, dreams or reflections of contact with nature.
Short Bio/CV
Joseph Abbott Maurer is an accomplished landscape designer and artist committed to a love of a place-based art. Joseph has built a career that blends artistic creativity with environmental stewardship. His experience as a team member and solo artist spans from significant international projects like the London Olympic Park to community-focused initiatives in his Midwestern home town of Eau Claire. An award-winning painter, educator, and public artist, Joseph continues to inspire and innovate in both landscape and visual arts.
Select Solo Shows
* 2024: Animal Dreams - Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI
* 2023: Too Big to Fly - LE Phillips Memorial Library, Eau Claire, WI
* 2020: Midwestern Palimpsests - Oxbow Hotel, Eau Claire, WI
* 2019: Paintings From Nature - Volume One Gallery and The Local Store, Eau Claire, WI
* 2016: New Paintings - Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center, Prescott, WI
Select Awards & Group Shows
* 2024
Motherly - Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI
INSIDE/OUTSIDE - LE Phillips Memorial Library, Eau Claire, WI
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES - Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls
* 2023
Spring Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley Pablo Center at the Confluence - Best of Show and First Place Quick Paint
* 2022
Spring Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - First Place, Best in Show Quick Paint
Finalist Hasenbank Public Art RFP
Fall Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - Best River
* 2021
Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - Third Place, First Place Quick Paint
* 2020
Street Beetle - Public Art Grant, Wisconsin State Arts Board
* 2019
First Place Quick Paint - Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley
* 2012: Arts West - Honorable Mention
* 2010: Arts West - Honorable Mention
* 1994: First Place Painting, Group Show, Art Barn, Osceola, Wisconsin
Select Public Art Projects
* The Street Beetle, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, WI | Co-Built/design COVID safe conversation space with repurposed ash. Utilized ship building techniques to bend girders.
* Butterfly Pavilion, Beaver Creek Reserve - Fall Creek, WI | 2019
 Designed and oversaw construction of pavilion dedicated to the conservation and education of native butterfly species. Utilized repurposed wood.
* Forest St. Community Garden Pavilion - Eau Claire, WI | 2013
 Designed a community pavilion that serves as a gathering space within the Eau Claire Community Garden.Utilized repurposed wood.
* London Olympic Park - London, UK | Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects 2006-2008
 Part of the design team for the landscape architecture of the London Olympic Park, focusing on ecological integration and public accessibility.
* Arlington Sewage Treatment Plant - Arlington, VA | 2006
 Public art team member with Leader Mary Miss, focusing on environmental awareness through landscape design and public art.
Education
Master of Landscape Architecture
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art
Minneapolis College of Art and Design - Minneapolis, MN 1999
Professional Experience
Multimedia Artist
, Timber Space Eau Claire LLC - Eau Claire, WI 
2020 - Present
* Co-founded Timber Space Eau Claire LLC, a public art practice, with Tim Burdnicki.
* Directed and produced a documentary on native remnant prairies for The Prairie Enthusiasts.
* Designed and managed various public art and landscape projects, including the Butterfly Pavilion at Beaver Creek Reserve, opened in Spring 2019.
Artist in Residence,
 Christ Church Cathedral Residency- Eau Claire, WI
 2018 - current
Associate,
 Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects - Various Locations
 2006 - 2008
* Contributed to the design of the London Olympic Park and various landscape projects in New York City.
* Worked closely with teams to integrate ecological principles into large-scale urban landscapes.
* Project Management / Design for Dickinson School of Law
Instructor, Department of Landscape Architecture
, University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA 
2004 - 2008
* Taught graduate-level courses in landscape architecture, focusing on design principles, ecological restoration, and public art integration.
* Mentored students and contributed to the development of the department's curriculum.
Designer
, Mary Miss Studio - New York City
2004-2006
* Collaborated with renowned public artist Mary Miss on a large-scale public art and landscape project at Arlington Sewage Treatment Plant.
* Integrated artistic elements with environmental infrastructure to create a meaningful public space.
Producer, PBS and Freelance
* Co-founded Wisconsin Based Farm and Food Program Around the Farm Table for PBS Broadcasting 2012-2015
* Created Documentary for The Prairie Enthusiasts
Community Involvement
* Co-Founder Forest St Community Garden 
Regularly participates in community gardening and prairie conservation efforts in Eau Claire, WI.
* Commissioner Parks And Waterways Commission, City of Eau Claire 2021-Current
* Committee Member, Eau Claire Public Library Arts Committee, City of Eau Claire
* Steering Committee, West Side Neighborhood Association, Eau Claire
Skills
* Landscape Design - software proficiency: Rhino 8, Grasshopper, Adobe Suite
* Public Art & Ecological Design
* Painting & Visual Arts
* Teaching & Mentorship
* Documentary Production
* Community Engagement & Advocacy
References available upon request.