At Reinaldo Correa Studio, they believe public art reaches its highest potential when guided by the voices of the people it represents. Their mission is to create works that serve communities, celebrating local heritage, honoring cultural specificity, and shaping spaces of shared identity.
Since 2010, Correa has created large-scale public artworks across the U.S. and Canada, culminating in the founding of Reinaldo Correa Studio in 2015. Their studio is composed of artists, designers, and fabricators committed to creating meaningful, site-responsive works. They have completed installations in civic spaces, urban parks, academic institutions, and transportation hubs, and are currently working with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on a permanent interactive playscape.
For nine years, Correa was a professor at Iowa State University, leading design-build studios where students learned to take concepts through fabrication and installation. His teaching combined theory with practice, covering welding, materials, and installation techniques, always emphasizing public engagement. This commitment led to his selection as a mentor by the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa Economic Development Authority, roles he continues through Public ART Talks, a platform he founded to support and educate emerging artists.
Correa’s work is rooted in a methodology called Artistic Discovery, a process shaped by a background in architecture, industrial design, and art. It emphasizes community engagement, digital fabrication, and rigorous attention to engineering and material selection. They regularly work in metal, acrylic, stone, glass, lighting, and textiles—collaborating with trusted engineers, fabricators, and shipping teams. Correa openly shares these professional networks with mentees to equip them for long-term success.
In Virginia, Correa completed Tree of Light, a collaborative public artwork developed with local fabricators. This experience confirmed his belief that strong local partnerships are key to creating resonant, lasting art.
They recently completed two permanent installations for Iowa State University and are now fabricating a commemorative piece for South Dakota State University that honors agricultural history. These projects reflect an ability to translate institutional and community values into durable, poetic works of art.
They approach each project through three guiding principles:
People – Elevating local voices ensures each work reflects and affirms shared identity.
Story – Public art connects people through memory, meaning, and imagination.
Place – Context and site history shape every creative decision.
Reinaldo states “It is an honor to bring this approach to Norfolk and collaborate on work that embodies the city’s spirit, diversity, and aspirations.”
