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

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Urban Calm Book Release Party, Acme Camera Co., Salt Lake City, UT, 10/12/24

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

Statewide Annual Exhibition, Ogden Contemporary Arts, Ogden, UT, 2024

The Lesser Chaos, The George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2024

35x35: The Zillennial Edition, Finch Lane Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT, 2024

One Shot To Rule Them All, multiple galleries, Salt Lake City, UT, multiple years (2023, 24)

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, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24)

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

“UGH (Christmas Morning, 2020)”, SLUG Magazine, Vol. 35, Issue #431, p.14, 2024

“Worth Nothing”, SLUG Magazine, Vol. 35, Issue #431, p.14, 2024

“Urban Calm #89”, SLC Unveiled Zine, 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

Juror’s Award, “A Death In The Family” (2021), Statewide Annual Exhibition, Ogden Contemporary Arts, Ogden, UT, 2024

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

OTHER 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

Co-curator, “Radiant Ravaged”, Thatcher-Young Mansion, Logan, UT, 2014

Contributor, “Water: Utah’s Most Precious Resource”, Utah Water Education Project, USU, Logan, UT, 2012

Introducing my new photo book, Urban Calm

Portfolios