Denver Pavilions has introduced a striking new mural on its south wall, the largest project artist Olive Moya has completed. Throughout August, Moya and a six-person team transformed the Welton and Tremont-facing sides of the building with Always Never Different, Never Always the Same, a 47,000-square-foot artwork that reaches 97 feet at its tallest point.
The installation covers an area roughly equal to ten basketball courts and replaces a long-standing Clyfford Still Museum display that had been in place since 2011.
Moya said the experience of seeing the work finished feels surreal. She explained that she was focused on milestone after milestone during the process, and that stepping back to see the full scale of her design was emotional. She added that the most meaningful part was watching the dedication of everyone involved and seeing the final mural match exactly what she had intended.
The Downtown Denver Development Authority commissioned the $300k project as part of a larger set of upgrades to the property totaling $2.7 million. These improvements include repairs to the parking garage, roof maintenance, updated signage, and work on escalators throughout the center. The authority purchased the Pavilions and nearby lots in late 2025 with the goal of repositioning the two-block site and setting the stage for long-term redevelopment. This includes a national advisory panel evaluating the future of the mall and how it can become a more active, experience-driven destination in Upper Downtown.
Denver Pavilions, located on 16th Street, plays a central role in the district’s ongoing revitalization. Recent upgrades have introduced new parking technology that allows drivers to enter and pay using license plate readers and QR codes. Additional repairs to the structure are scheduled over the next year and a half, with minimal disruption expected for visitors and tenants.
Moya, a graduate of Otis College of Art and Design, is known for her bold abstract storytelling style. Her public work includes installations for the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Outdoor Arts. The Denver Pavilions mural is her largest to date and one of the largest in Colorado, marking a significant moment for both the artist and the evolving identity of the property.