Shannon Mendes has been apart of Vancouver's visual arts community since the late 90's. Her photographic artworks include an innovative ‘pop-up’ exhibition chronicling the vibrant social life in Cuba, an installation exploring transit's ability to connect people through public social spaces, and an interactive media project designed to create community connections within the South Hill neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC.
In addition to her fine art work, Shannon's editorial photography has taken her around the globe shooting reportage for Canadian, American and European publications. Shannon has photographed and produced over 150 portrait profiles of artists, musicians, activists, actors, educators and visionaries in addition to many larger scope editorial projects.
In 2015, after taking some time at home to spend with her young children, Shannon began a transition into the field of landscape design. She studied ecological landscape design, plant and tree id, organic horticulture and rainwater resource management. Alongside her studies, Shannon worked as an organic landscape horticulturist. This in-field experience observing the connections and interactions of healthy soil and ecosystems has greatly informed her design practice.
In 2017, Shannon began landscape designing full time, combining her love of all things green, growing and edible with her passion to create healthy community connections. Furthering her commitment to sustainable and regenerative practices, Shannon completed a Certificate in Permaculture Design through the University of British Columbia and an Education for Sustainability Course through the Green School Foundation.
Today, Shannon runs a private residential landscape design firm and teaches classes and workshops in horticulture. Her designs and climate resiliency strategies utilize sustainable green infrastructure assets that prioritize rainwater collection and reuse; encourage long term soil health; increase plant and animal biodiversity; and improve overall garden and community health.
Shannon is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Society for Organic Land Care (S.O.U.L). She has a Bachelors degree in Art from Emily Carr University, a Diploma in Organic Horticulture and Ecological Landscape Design from Gaia College, and a Certificate in Permaculture Design from UBC.
