Latest Longmont public art named Mollie

Mollie is the latest sculpture in Longmont’s Art in Public Places initiative.

Standing near the breezeway on the west 500 block of Main Street, Mollie is a statue of a woman split down the center.

“Mollie represents the process of healing one’s identity and the realization that however different parts of yourself may be, they all come together to create a beautiful person,” Mollie’s sculptor, Pavia Justinian, said.

The sculpture has an almost iridescent cast of color, with tones of blue and green that evoke a sense of earthliness. Steel exhaust pipes make up the framework of Mollie, covered in painted sculpting epoxy and coated with anti-UV clear coat to help it withstand time and the elements.

“We all struggle at times with feeling pulled in different directions. I have always tried to honor all aspects of myself, even those that are less conventionally ‘feminine,’ and I used to wonder what this meant about me,” Justinian said. “Society tries to put everyone in neat little boxes and people who don’t quite fit can end up feeling like we have a split personality. “

Longmont Theater Company President Faye Lamb was excited to watch the art installation while she oversaw ongoing renovations at the theater, noting how passersby already started to engage with the artwork.

“I think Mollie is beautiful, in a question mark sort of way,” Lamb said. “I think people are going to ask questions, which is a good thing. I think that’s what art is all about.”

More artwork is coming to Longmont this summer, though Art in Public Places coordinator Angela Brill said the city doesn’t make installation dates public to ensure safety of residents and artwork alike. Brill said one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is getting to engage the community with the art work and foster new connections through the program.

"I met Faye Lamb on Monday and we chatted about parking, theatre, sculpture and the arts. By Wednesday we were on a first name basis," Brill said. "Art on the Move allows me to connect with business owners and provides an intimate outreach opportunity for those businesses with the city and our creatives."

To date, the Art in Public Places commission has installed more than 75 artworks throughout the city. Some are temporary, but most are permanent. A full map of the artworks are included in the Longmont Bike Map, making for a fun scavenger hunt and family adventure.