Pi Beta Phi - University of Colorado

A Picture-Perfect Pi Beta Phi Experience MOLLIE UHL EATON REFLECTS ON HER ABUNDANCE OF COLORADO ALPHA MEMORIES PAGE 2 A s a lifelong artist, attention to even the smallest details always has been top of mind for Mollie Uhl Eaton '76. Mollie has excelled in the arts in a variety of mediums since graduating 45 years ago from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she was surrounded by beautiful scenery at every turn. While Mollie was amazed by Boulder's beauty, her mother and mother's friends didn't want her to feel lost while attending a large university. They encouraged her to go through formal recruitment and join a sorority, which led Mollie to a life- changing experience at Colorado Alpha. "I liked all the sororities, but the collegians at Pi Beta Phi who recruited me seemed to have it all – beauty, personality, spirit, heart, glamour, intelligence, class, leadership and kindness. Colorado Alpha had a certain spark and zest for life that attracted me," Mollie said. "The Pi Phi members whom I have met and befriended are my best friends and have been true sisters for all these years. I feel blessed to have had such an enriching fraternity experience during college and afterward." Mollie loved attending the fall and spring formals and many other fun social events with her Pi Phi sisters. She also has been fortunate to share Colorado Alpha with her family over the years. As a collegian, one of the highlights of each year was spending Father's Weekend at the chapter house with her father and getting to know her sisters' fathers who came in from all around the country. Mollie's son, Bryce, followed in her footsteps to CU-Boulder, so when visiting Bryce from 2012 to 2016, she and her husband, Perry, frequently stopped by the Pi Beta Phi house. From the Hamptons to Honolulu, Mollie's Sincere Friendships have taken her, and oftentimes her family, to many magnificent destinations. "When my son turned 21, he and I organized a trip with Lori Potoma Wright, California Eta '74, and her husband and son to visit Napa Valley, California, for a wine tasting adventure," Mollie said. "I felt an unexplainable joy while spending time after a long absence from my Pi Phi 'mom' during college years. Thirty years later, we reconnected with our grown sons. This was magical! We shared so much laughter and love with our families." Along with seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world with her Pi Beta Phi sisters, Mollie is thankful to have had their loving support in her artistic endeavors. While she is now retired from her work creating and putting on big shows at galleries, she still enjoys teaching painting, especially wine and canvas classes at the local art gallery. "Art is a spiritual practice because it elevates my consciousness above daily duties. When I am creating something — whether it be cooking a gourmet dinner, painting a large abstract painting, playing the piano or sewing a blouse or zipper bag — the craft project becomes bigger than merely paint on canvas, musical notes or thread in fabric," Mollie said. "Art allows me an escape into a world of weightlessness. Yes, in the act of painting abstractly, I feel the lovely lightness of being!" The biggest highlight of Mollie's career as an artist came at her one-woman show in downtown Denver at the prestigious Camera Obscura Gallery, located next to the Denver Art Museum. She felt gratitude from seeing her hard work pay off as this show featured 23 of her large abstract contemporary art paintings and nine fine art archival silver photographs. "Opening night was a thrill," Mollie said. "Many people came to drink punch, eat cookies, crudités and, most importantly, look at my colorful paintings. During the month-long show, 18 of my paintings sold. It was a huge success in more ways than I could have hoped. Best of all, my paintings were out in the world decorating people's homes, their walls and gone from my basement! My goal as an artist has been to bring color and happiness to others." Mollie practiced as a professional photographer for more than 30 years, delving into darkroom work printing her negatives as well as photographing weddings and portraits from the 1980s into the 21 st century. The Life on Capitol Hill based in downtown Denver published more than 160 of Mollie's black and white photojournalistic pictures from 1995 to 1997. She also traveled to Italy with Professional Photographers of America during the Jubilee celebration in Rome at the Vatican in 2000. Another creative job for reaching the public view: Mollie worked for years as a photojournalist and writer for examiner. com, an online national newspaper which recently closed. In addition to staying involved with the arts through painting, photography and playing the piano, Mollie enjoys spending time with her husband and horses. She stays connected with Pi Beta Phi on a variety of levels. Over the decades, Mollie has been active with Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Clubs in both Highlands Ranch/Douglas County, Colorado, and Tucson, Arizona. She's thankful to have had a picture-perfect Pi Beta Phi experience. You can connect with Mollie at molliemarie229@gmail.com.

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