Molly Pluenneke is a mixed-media artist from Kansas City, MO, currently living and working in Boulder, CO. Her art practice bridges the disciplines of visual arts, science, and cartography to explore the paradoxes embedded within American environmental and political landscapes. She investigates themes such as pollution, land use, food scarcity, the environmental crisis, and modern life through a variety of mediums, including textiles, photography, painting, collage, and metal.

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Her work examines contrasting vernaculars of U.S. borders, the disruptive nature of conservation practices, and the experience of childhood within the context of the climate crisis and late-stage capitalism. By manipulating cultural, scientific, and place-based objects—such as roadside welcome signs, ornithological bags, and childhood toys—Molly creates site-specific pieces that emerge from deeply researched inquiries into the histories, ecologies, and cultural narratives of the locations they engage. Her art employs humor and play to foster open dialogue around polarizing and contentious issues, making complex societal and environmental topics more accessible.

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Molly holds a BS in Environmental Geology from the College of Charleston and an MS in Geographic Information Science from the University of Denver. After earning her master’s degree, she worked as a cartographer mapping utilities across Colorado. Currently studying visual arts at the University of Colorado Boulder, she integrates her background in GIS with her artistic practice, using cartography and geographic data to uncover relationships between seemingly unrelated phenomena, such as socioeconomic disparities and proximity to industrial sites. This approach combines the analytical rigor of GIS with the creative expression of visual art, offering viewers a space to critically engage with complex issues while cultivating curiosity and understanding.