Winter Structure
Recognition & Credentials
Stephen Coan’s work is recognized across design, horticultural training, and creative practice.
Recognition matters most when it reflects what the landscape becomes: composed, enduring, and alive. Stephen’s credentials combine rigorous horticultural training, professional leadership, and a long-standing visual arts foundation, all in service of landscapes shaped by ecology, craft, and quietly integrated hardscape.
Begin with a brief application so I can understand your goals and property. If we’re aligned, we’ll schedule a complimentary phone conversation, then an on-site consultation as appropriate to define the best path forward.
Explore the About Pages
About Stephen | Recognition & Credentials | Design Philosophy | Planting Philosophy | Availability & Openings | FAQs | Client Experiences
Design Recognition
Best of Houzz Award (Service)
Recognized for garden and landscape design and installation service (2018, 2019, 2020, 2025, 2026)
Education and Training
Longwood Gardens
Stephen holds certifications in Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticulture (Levels 1, 2, and 3), a level of completion achieved by only a small group of peers.
Philadelphia College of Arts
Stephen holds a BFA in Photo and Film, grounding the studio’s work in composition, light, and disciplined visual craft.
Professional Leadership and Credentials
Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)
Former President, International Virtual Chapter
Study and Influences
Stephen’s approach has been shaped by direct study through classes, lectures, and field-based training, alongside long-term influences in ecological planting and garden craft, including:
Piet Oldolf, Noel Kingsbury, Nigel Dunnett, Cassian Schmidt, Larry Weaner, Claudia West
Photography
Stephen’s background in fine art and commercial photography informs the way he composes landscapes, with attention to structure, proportion, texture, and seasonal light.
Museums and Permanent Collections
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Michener Museum
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Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), permanent collection
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Private collections — held in numerous private collections internationally
Exhibitions and Representation
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ADM Gallery, three exhibitions (including one solo)
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Sande Webster Gallery, two exhibitions; represented
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Rivaga Gallery (Washington, DC), solo exhibition
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University of the Arts, group exhibition
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US Artists Show, two exhibitions
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Perkins Center for the Arts, exhibition
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The Arts Center (Nashville, TN), exhibition
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Levering Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), exhibition
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Graphis Nudes, published feature
Book
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Quantum Chaos — conceptual fine art photography book by Stephen Coan
Selected Commercial and Editorial Clients (Former Work)
Stephen previously worked in advertising, corporate, and editorial photography, specializing in still life (from tabletop to full environments) and portraiture used in billboards, annual reports, magazine campaigns, and corporate communications.
Selected clients include: Disney; Bell Atlantic; Johnson & Johnson; Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Janssen Pharmaceuticals; Siemens Health Systems; Lourdes Health Systems; The Vanguard Group; Lincoln Financial; Rohm & Haas; Astra Merck; Viropharma; Pharmaton; PNC Bank; Comcast; Hershey; GMAC; ING; Subaru of America; Warner Brothers Records; Valrhona Chocolate; A.C. Moore; Ellis Coffee; The Philadelphia Gas Works; The Philadelphia Water Department; Newsweek (USA and Japan); Forbes; Wired; PC Magazine; CFO Magazine; Philadelphia Magazine; Workforce Management Magazine; Mortgage Banking Magazine; NASDAQ Magazine; and others.
Selected Publications and Notable Commercial Work (Former)
Stephen created still life and environmental photography for publications and campaigns, including rare book work and large-format public media.
Highlights include:
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Bauman Rare Books, still life photography for exceptional volumes, including a very early Shakespeare edition
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State of New Jersey, billboard photography for a Jersey Shore campaign
Photography portfolios: Fine Art (coanfinephotography.com) · Commercial (stephencoan.com)
Endurance and Mountain Bike Racing
Stephen raced mountain bikes as a licensed competitor across cross-country, dual slalom, and downhill racing disciplines, bringing the same patience, discipline, and field sensitivity that informs his landscape work.
Selected timeline and highlights
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1989: co-founded the Belmont Plateau Mountain Bike Race Series, still running today and held every Thursday
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1989 to early 1990s: rode for Fischer Mountain Bikes
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Early 1990s to 2000: raced with sponsorship from multiple companies, competing primarily in downhill racing
as a privateer
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Competed in national-level events and select world-level races
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Typical results were top 5 to top 10
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New York State Championship series: 2 - 3rd places across three races
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Best season: 9th in the Northeast U.S. in class standings (likely 1999 or 2000)
Begin the Conversation
Begin with a brief application so I can understand your property, goals, and timing. If we’re aligned, we’ll schedule a complimentary phone conversation, then an on-site consultation as appropriate to define the best path forward.Begin with a brief application so I can understand your property, goals, and timing. If we’re aligned, we’ll schedule a complimentary phone conversation, then an on-site consultation as appropriate to define the best path forward.