From Frostop Burgers to Fine Art: The Creative Life of Mark Petersen
Mark Petersen — From Granger Roots to the Global Art Stage
Mark Petersen (1953–2018) was a remarkably talented painter and draftsman whose creative journey stretched from his hometown of Granger, Utah, to galleries and museums across the world.
Born in Salt Lake City, Mark was the son of Joey F. Petersen, the beloved owner of Pete’s Frostop Drive-In and later The Concord House Soup & Sandwich Shop on Redwood Road. From an early age, Mark worked alongside his parents in the family restaurants, helping with day-to-day tasks and serving the community that gathered around Pete’s famous burgers, fries, and homemade root beer. Those years gave him a strong sense of discipline, creativity, and connection — qualities that would later shape both his art and his worldview.
A 1971 graduate of Granger High School, Mark’s artistic gifts were already well recognized by his classmates and teachers. His painting Sir Lancer, portraying the school’s iconic mascot, continues to hang proudly in the Granger Alumni Room as a lasting tribute to his early talent and school spirit.
During the 1970s, Mark developed his artistic voice through the study of landscape painting and design. He was an associate of Douglas Snow, one of Utah’s most respected painters, at the University of Utah/Snowbird Summer Arts Institute (1974–1979). After attending Utah State University, he earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts (1975) and Master of Fine Arts (1982) from the University of Utah.
In addition to his personal work, Mark served as registrar at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts during the 1980s — a position that reflected his deep respect for the arts community. His talent and dedication also earned him international attention, culminating in a 1988 exhibition at the Grand Palais Museum in Paris, France.
Mark’s artistic style evolved over time from representational landscapes to abstract works emphasizing texture, motion, and physical expression. While living and working in Oakland, California, he maintained a studio at No.4 Studio, where he also served as artist-in-residence. There he created his acclaimed “Paths” series, using handmade tools to drag and trowel acrylic paint across canvas and paper, producing circular, flowing gestures of color and form. His work reflected influences of Abstract Expressionism, Nouveau Réalisme, and Zen ink drawing — blending energy, imperfection, and contemplation.
Mark’s interest in Zen philosophy began early; in 1971, he met Shunryu Suzuki, the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, and later spent a year in Japan (1983), experiences that deeply informed his artistic and spiritual perspective. After relocating to the Bay Area in 1989, his work continued to receive recognition through exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, Le Kube in Oakland (2014), and No.4 Studio (2015).
From his humble beginnings helping in his family’s Granger drive-in to his international recognition as an artist, Mark Petersen’s life reflected creativity grounded in hard work and authenticity. His art reminds viewers that beauty is found not in perfection, but in movement, gesture, and the uniquely human marks we leave behind.
Mark Petersen
Raised in Granger, grew up helping in his family’s Pete’s Frostop before pursuing his passion for art. A graduate of the University of Utah with both BFA and MFA degrees, he trained under renowned Utah painter Douglas Snow and went on to exhibit his work in London, Paris, and across the United States. His art, rooted in motion and mindfulness, bridges the simplicity of his Utah beginnings with the sophistication of global contemporary expression
