Portfolios
Urban Calm Photo Book2024
AQI 1512019-2022
Still Life with Cliff and Trees2022
A Death In The Family2021
Urban Calm2018-present
Instagram2016-present
Synæsthesia2014-19
Electrography2017
Natural Form2013
Interior Still Life2013
About Peter Wiarda
Peter Wiarda is a lens-based artist specializing in architectural, interior, abstract, and experimental photography. Interested in the craft from an early age, he drew inspiration from the mountain and desert landscapes of his rural Southern Utah hometown, Cedar City. Peter made the leap from casual hobbyist to aspiring professional when he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at Utah State University. There, he studied a typologic and topographic style that became the basis of several bodies of work. Outside of class, he explored abstract image-making techniques to visually represent his sound-to-color synæsthesia, eventually leading to an immersive solo show integrating photography and music.
After earning his BFA in 2014, Peter moved to Salt Lake City, where he continued to explore and develop new photographic methods to suit his urban environment. Inspired by the region’s poor air quality, he developed a digital photographic technique to symbolize the invisible particle pollution, producing a series of environmentally themed works. Peter has also taken an interest in historic preservation and education, using documentary photography to record the changes in Salt Lake City’s rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. He regularly shares this work on Instagram.
Peter has participated in numerous group exhibitions both locally and online, and has hosted two solo shows in Salt Lake City. His activities outside of photography include his instructional technology job at Salt Lake Community College, researching local history, and practicing amateur mixology. He lives in the East Central neighborhood with his illustrator, muralist, and fashion designer wife Jessica.
Look for Peter's most current work on Instagram: @peter_wiarda
Email: [click to defeat spambots]
Curriculum Vitae
HIGHER EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography, Utah State University (USU), Logan, UT, 2014
FOTOSOMMER 13: Norway Study Abroad, USU, 2013
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Systems Administrator, SLCC Online & eLearning Services, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), 2018-present
Instructional Technologist, SLCC Online & eLearning Services, SLCC, 2016-18
Web & Graphic Designer, Center for Innovative Design and Instruction, USU, 2011-15
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Synæsthesia: Visualizing Sound Through Photography, Edna Runswick Taylor Foyer, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT, September 15 - November 8, 2021
Synæsthesia: Visualizing Sound Through Photography, God Hates Robots, Salt Lake City, UT, May 17 - June 14, 2019
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
The Lesser Chaos, The George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2024
35x35, Finch Lane Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2024
One Shot To Rule Them All, Lost Acorn Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2023
50 Artist Show, 2006: space oddity, Salt Lake City, UT, 2022
Interpretations of Nature, Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, UT, 2022
Statewide Annual Exhibition, Rio Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2018
Photo Utah EDU Art Show and Conference, SLCC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017
SLCC President’s Art Show, SLCC, Salt Lake City, UT, multiple years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
Senior BFA Exhibition, Gallery 102, USU, Logan, UT, 2014
FOTOSOMMER 13, Gallery 102, USU, Logan, UT, 2013
Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, USU, Logan, UT, 2013
Drawing Conclusions: USU Art Exhibit, Alpine Art, Salt Lake City, UT, 2012
Summerfest Arts Faire Plein Air Photography Contest, Tabernacle Square, Logan, UT, multiple years (2011, 12, 13, 15, 17)
PUBLICATIONS
Urban Calm, self-published photo book, 2024
“When Life Gives You Glitches”, Folio Literary Magazine, Vol. 20, #2, p.92, 2019
“Synæsthesia #2”, spectrum the SLCC Community Anthology 2017, Vol. 1, cover, 2017
“Iron to Iron, Dust to Dust”, The Southern Quill, Vol. 60, p.54, 2011
“Sunflower Soliloquy”, The Southern Quill, Vol. 60, p.64, 2011
Peter Wiarda Fine Art Photography (blog), self-published, 2011 - 2013
HONORS AND AWARDS
First Place - Professional Division, “PM2.5”, Summerfest Arts Faire Plein Air Photography Contest, Logan, UT, 2017
Honorable Mention - Abstract & Digital Art, “Monument”, Summerfest Arts Faire Plein Air Photography Contest, Logan, UT, 2015
R. T. Clark Photography Scholarship, USU, Logan, UT, 2013
Honorable Mention - Abstract & Digital Art, “Cruciformalism”, Summerfest Arts Faire Plein Air Photography Contest, Logan, UT, 2012
Honorable Mention, “Let It Pass”, Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, USU, Logan, UT, 2012
ORGANIZATIONS
Wasatch Camera Club, Salt Lake City, UT, 2021-present
Utah State University Photo Guild, Logan, UT, 2012-14
Cache Valley Photographers, Logan, UT, 2010-13
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Participant, “Photo Safari: Great Salt Lake and Cyanotype”, a 2-day workshop with Luminaria, Salt Lake City, UT, 2018
Co-curator, “Radiant Ravaged”, Thatcher-Young Mansion, Logan, UT, 2014
Volunteer, “Pet Photo Day”, Chase Fine Arts Center, USU, Logan, UT, 2014
Participant, USU Photography Spiral Jetty Field Trip and Workshops, Spiral Jetty, UT, 2013
Contributor, “Water: Utah’s Most Precious Resource”, Utah Water Education Project, USU, Logan, UT, 2012
All photos and content Copyright 2013 - 2024 by Peter Wiarda, except where noted. Website designed, built, and maintained by Peter Wiarda.