RESEARCH & CURATORIAL ASSISTANT

Miret Rodríguez brings a grounded and culturally diverse perspective to Aartplace through her experience as a curator, researcher, and educator. She studied and worked in Paris for five years, completing a Master’s degree at L' École Supérieure de Commerce de Dijon in Paris with a focus on advances in the online art market and urban art. Over the past decade, she has contributed to museums, galleries, and public art programs in Canada, Germany, France, and Mexico, cultivating a deep knowledge of contemporary art and its social contexts.

Beyond Aartplace, Miret co-founded Curated Tastes, a curatorial platform focused on accessible art experiences, and served as Vice President of the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre Society, helping establish Canada’s first cultural centre dedicated to Latin American arts.

At Aartplace, Miret supports research, writing, and artist and community liaison across projects—bringing analytical depth and cultural awareness to each context. Her work helps shape curatorial frameworks and approaches that root every project in place, history, and community.

Select Aartplace Projects:

- 2110 W5 Public Art, Vancouver, BC

- City of New Westminster Public Art Plan, New Westminster, BC

- Beachlands (formerly Royal Beach) Public Art Masterplan, Colwood, BC

- Royal Bay – Latoria South Public Art Masterplan, Colwood, BC

- 9800 Van Horne Public Art, Richmond, BC

- 6615 Telford Public Art Plan, Burnaby, BC

ARCHITECTURE INTEGRATION SUPPORT

Shasha Wang bridges art and architecture with sensitivity to context and community. A graduate of UBC’s School of Architecture, her thesis on the history of rural Chinese restaurants across Canada earned the Judah Shumiatcher Memorial Award in Architecture. Raised in Vancouver and having worked in Toronto and Beijing, she brings a multidisciplinary lens and a strong interest in how art can shape meaningful and inclusive public spaces. In addition to her role at Aartplace, Shasha is working toward her architectural license at Laura Killam Architecture.

At Aartplace, Shasha provides technical and design integration expertise—reviewing architectural drawings, developing integration documentation, and ensuring artworks are seamlessly coordinated with architecture, engineering, and construction processes. Her architectural insight supports feasibility, clarity, and coordination between artists, consultants, and clients.

Select Aartplace Projects:

- 2110 W5 Public Art, Vancouver, BC

- Downtown Van BIA Public Art Strategy, Vancouver, BC

- City of New Westminster Public Art Plan, New Westminster, BC

DESIGN, RESEARCH & PROJECT SUPPORT

Sahar Issapour brings a visual and analytical sensibility to her work at Aartplace. A graduate of UBC’s Environmental Design program at the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, she focuses on storytelling through visual communication—translating complex ideas into accessible and engaging formats. Her academic and professional work in public art has nurtured a strong interest in projects that reflect local ecologies, histories, and cultures.

Alongside her work with Aartplace, Sahar contributes to the Public Art team at the City of Vancouver, supporting art collection management and public art planning.

At Aartplace, Sahar supports research, design, and project coordination—developing written and graphic materials, assisting in research, and contributing to engagement and meeting documentation. Her creative approach and rigorous attention to detail strengthen the clarity and consistency of our work.

Select Aartplace Projects:

- Downtown Van BIA Public Art Strategy, Vancouver, BC

- City of New Westminster Public Art Plan, New Westminster, BC

- 9800 Van Horne Public Art, Richmond, BC

GRAPHICS & RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Camilla Coates brings nearly two decades of experience in design, storytelling, and strategic communication to her work with Aartplace. She has led creative projects across agencies, editorial teams, and in-house creative departments, helping institutions, non-profits, and universities translate complex ideas into clear and meaningful visual experiences. Her design approach centers on accessibility and connection—ensuring ideas are communicated with clarity and purpose.

Alongside her role at Aartplace, Camilla is a Senior Designer at the University of the Fraser Valley, where she leads major design initiatives in student recruitment, donor and alumni engagement, and institutional identity, and also maintains a freelance practice supporting values-driven organizations.

At Aartplace, Camilla is integral to the development of our uniquely creative, high-quality visual documentation across all project phases. She creates presentation materials, design reports, and engagement summaries, and supports research into artists, precedents, and site contexts. She also contributes to narrative development when needed. Camilla plays a key role in ensuring all materials are clear, accessible, and visually engaging—reflecting Aartplace’s commitment to quality and connection across disciplines and audiences.

Select Aartplace Projects:

- Art Program for Kelowna International Airport, Kelowna, BC

- Downtown Van BIA Public Art Strategy, Vancouver, BC

- City of New Westminster Public Art Plan, New Westminster, BC

GRAPHICS & RESEARCH SUPPORT

Greg Laychak brings a thoughtful and research-driven approach to visual communication. He works with academic and community researchers to translate complex ideas into clear, accessible visuals and written materials. His collaborative practice is informed by his background in journalism and documentary photography, and by a deep commitment to ethical storytelling and representation.

He has partnered with universities and community organizations to document local initiatives and share knowledge from marginalized communities in ways that foster understanding and meaningful impact. Earlier in his career, he worked in newspapers and digital media as a reporter, page designer, and photojournalist, and co-founded [b]racket Magazine, Daegu, South Korea’s leading bilingual art publication.

At Aartplace, Greg provides visual and research support, assisting with the preparation of presentation materials, documentation, and research summaries. He contributes to the clarity and consistency of project materials, helping translate curatorial and architectural information into accessible visuals and concise written content.

Select Aartplace Projects:

·       2110 W5 Public Art, Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC

·       Art Program for Kelowna International Airport, Kelowna, BC

We research and analyze your project, vision, and goals.

We define and strategize how art will support your vision, tell your story, and integrate with your spaces and/or city.

We curate, select, and coordinate the procurement of artworks.

We coordinate and support artists and consultants through the detailed design development process.

We coordinate the artworks’ documentation, production, and fabrication process.

We oversee the delivery and installation of artworks on site.

We provide a Final Art Book documenting the details of all the artworks, including longevity and maintenance considerations.