BIO/CV
BIOGRAPHY
Molly has established a rich and dynamic career in making mixed-media sculpture and two-dimensional artworks. Resourceful, inventive, skilled and rigorous in her exploration of materials, she uses a sophisticated sensibility of form in space to produce works that feel both deeply explored and elemental. Molly examines extended connections among humans and natural structures as she shapes metal, wood, paper and mixed media to generate art that is organic and ordered, primal and elegant. She has also specialized in delivering a broad range of innovative commissioned works - small-scale and monumental art for private and public settings. In 2021, she completed 'Critical Mass,' a mural covering the entire exterior of the five-story Mainframe Studios building that has become a landmark in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.
Molly studied at Slade School of Fine Art - University College London and at Iowa State University before receiving her BA and BFA from University of New Mexico. During her time at UNM, she studied under John Wenger, whose outdoor studio classes exposed her to the sculptural landscapes of the desert Southwest. Along with her years growing up on an Iowa farm, this time in the Southwest profoundly influences her art practice, which continues to draw on people’s relationship with land, structure, history and travel. Her art has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions and is in public and private collections throughout the U.S., including featured installations at Des Moines Metro Opera, Northern Iowa Community College, Surety Hotel Des Moines, Home State Bank and Hubbell Realty. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, The Atlantic's CityLab, and DSM Magazine. She is currently based in Des Moines.
CURRICULUM VITAE
SELECTED PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS & COMMISSIONS
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​‘Chrysalis’ — NIACC Pierce Administration Building, Mason City, IA; Commissioned installation
‘Relict’ — Private residence. Waukee, IA; Commissioned outdoor installation
‘Siege’ — Home State Bank. Polk City, IA; Commissioned installation
’Hull - Nested’ — Des Moines, IA; Private commission
‘Us 3’ — Level Condominium Lobby. Des Moines, IA; Permanent installation
‘Ascent’ — Blank Performing Arts Center, Indianola, IA; Commissioned installation
‘Critical Mass’ — Full Exterior of Building, Mainframe Studios. Des Moines, IA; Permanent installation
‘COIL - Suspended’ — Franka Pizzeria. Clive, IA; Permanent installation
‘Untitled’ – Entry Atrium, Mainframe Studios, Des Moines, IA; Permanent installation
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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS​​
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2024
Hybrid Practices — Olson Larsen Gallery. West Des Moines, IA
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2023
Greater Des Moines Exhibited — Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines, IA
‘Aegis’ — Grandview Art & Design Gallery, Rasmussen Center. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition
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2022
‘Relic’ — Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition. Possible with grants from Iowa Arts Council.
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2021
Downtown DSM Hide & Seek — The Greater Des Moines Partnership Event. Des Moines, IA
Iowa Exhibited XXXVI — Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines, IA; Group exhibition
‘Grasping Center’ Video Installation — Limited Space V, Temple for the Performing Arts. Des Moines, IA
‘Mindful Terrain’ — Surety Hotel. Art Week. Des Moines, IA; Collaborative paper installation with Sabrina Carper
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2020
Downtown DSM Hide & Seek — The Greater Des Moines Partnership Event. Des Moines, IA
Art of Our Time Benefit — Mainframe Studios. Des Moines, IA
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2019
Iowa Exhibited XXVI — Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines, IA
Women’s Work — Olson Larsen Gallery. West Des Moines, IA
‘COIL’ — Olson Larsen Guild Space. West Des Moines, IA; Collaborative installation with Oyoram
‘COIL Suspended & Seated’ — St, Kilda, 5th St & Locust locations. Art Week. Des Moines, IA; Solo installations
‘Falling With Grace’ — Zanzibar. Des Moines, IA; Solo installation
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2018
Reflections — Mainframe Studios. Art Week. Des Moines, IA; Solo installation
Iowa Exhibited XXXIII — Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines, IA
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2017
Elevation Excavation — Private event. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition
2016 Molly Spain Works on Paper — Green & Main. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition
Molly Spain Recent Works — Proof. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition
2015 [FORTH] Recent Works — Zon. Des Moines, IA; Solo exhibition
PUBLICATIONS
DSM Magazine — “Paper Chase” July/August 2019, Cover & pp. 8, 108-116.
​THE GUARDIAN — “The best towns and small cities in the US: Des Moines, Iowa /Mainframe”.
Black & white gouache paintings featured in the photo. Online publication, March 7, 2019
CITYLAB — “Des Moines Wants to Be the Affordable City for Artists”
Portrait and studio featured in lead photo. Online publication.
GRANTS & AWARDS
2024
Project Grant - Artist Grant Recipient. Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
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2021
American Rescue Plan Arts Grant Recipient. Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
FY 2022 Iowa Arts & Culture Resilience Grant Recipient. Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Arts & Culture Resilience Grant Recipient. Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
Honorable Mention for ‘Totem’, charred wood sculpture. Juror Mary Jones.
Iowa Exhibited XXXVI — Polk County Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, IA
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2020
Emergency Grant 202004-9058 Recipient. Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
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2019
Merit Award for ‘COIL’, paper installation. Juror Sarah Grant Hutchinson
Iowa Exhibited XXVI — PC Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, IA
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN
Architectural & Industrial Designer/Owner Molly Spain Designs — IA, CA, TX,NM (1991-present)
Architectural Designer Silent Rivers Design+Build — Des Moines, IA (2016 – 2018)
Design Director/Manager The Integer Group — Des Moines, IA (2005-2011)
Design Director Des Moines Metro Opera — Indianola, IA (1998-2001)
Art Director Karen Emberston Design — Santa Fe, NM (1992-1994)
Freelance Graphic Design - Interbrand New York, Mark-Q Designs & College Concepts — New York, NY (1990)
BOARD PARTICIPATION
Polk County Conservation Board, Art Committee, Granger, IA
Metro Arts Alliance, Board of Directors, Des Moines, IA
EDUCATION
BAFA University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 1990-1991
Exchange Study — Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, London, England, 1991
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1987-1989
University of Nebraska, Kearney, NE, 1985-1987