Colorado Town Decides to Move Controversial ‘Naked Woman’ Sculpture

Many cities and towns across Colorado have their way of displaying pieces of art. Of course "art is in the eye of the beholder;" it would seem that many in this Colorado town beheld this particular piece of art as "not suitable."

When Did Fruita's North Mulberry Street Outdoor Plaza Officially Open?

North Mulberry Street Outdoor Plaza in Fruita, where this "controversial" sculpture was installed, opened sometime after 2022, when funding was approved. Much like Greeley's 9th Street Plaza in Downtown, Fruita's plaza holds many community events throughout the year, as well as holding pieces of art.

Fruita's "HeART of Fruita" Sculpture Exhibition has been happening in Downtown Fruita for a few years, rotating in sculptures by local artists. According to WesternSlopeNow.com. Selections for the exhibition are done by a blind review with community stakeholders, including members of the Arts and Culture Board, local business owners, City Council representatives and program sponsors.

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For September of 2025, three artists provided five sculptures; one of the artists, Pavina Justinian, submitted her sculpture, "Zafira." That sculpture was approved by the panel and installed in early September of 2025, a few weeks later, the Arts & Culture board decided, after public outcry, to move the sculpture somewhere out of Downtown.

Was Fruita's Nude Woman TOO Nude?

According to Colorado Public Radio, outcry about "Zafira," a nude woman dancing, was that the sculpture depicted the woman's genitalia.

I live in Loveland, which has many, many sculptures throughout the city; some of which are "daring." Then again, I haven't seen any nudes when they put sculptures along 4th Street in Downtown, which does see more public traffic than Benson Sculpture Garden.