Anton Rasmussen was born November 12, 1942 in Utah. He is best known for his large paintings and his mural work. He lives with his wife Pamela in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rasmussen earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Utah. Both of his degrees, a B.F.A. in 1967, and an M.F.A. in 1974, emphasized drawing and painting. Since that time, Rasmussen has been both a teacher and also an administrator at the University of Utah and at Southern Utah University.

Anton Rasmussen's work can be found in many permanent collections including at the Salt Lake International Airport, the Southern Utah University Student Center, L.D.S. Hospital, Zion National Park Visitor's Center, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and the Springville Museum of Art. One of his most recognized works is at the Salt Lake International Airport: each terminal features seven of his grand-scale oil paintings.

Biography adapted from Springville Museum of Art.

Anton Rasmussen is a native-born, Utah painter. He was born on November 12, 1942, and served in the United States Coast Guard as an aviation flight crewman. After returning to Utah, he elected to stay, earning both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Utah. Both of his degrees, a B.F.A. in 1967, and an M.F.A. in 1974, emphasized drawing and painting. Since that time, Rasmussen has been both a teacher and also an administrator at the University of Utah and at Southern Utah University, a teacher at Utah State University, and the director of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center.

Rasmussen and his wife, Pamela, share an enthusiasm for painting and an inborn delight in exploration and discovery. These qualities are well communicated in Rasmussen's work. He says, “My painting covers a broad spectrum of subject matter and approach including abstract, representational, and figurative. I am concerned that my students learn to think visually and develop a vocabulary of technique based on a sound fundamental understanding of art principles that will allow them to express their ideas effectively.“

As mentioned, Rasmussen's work includes abstraction. He is noted as "a talented organic abstractionist in small easel work as well as large murals." Producer Claudia Sisemore has featured him as the subject of the film Anton Rasmussen: Abstractions from Nature. Much of Anton's abstract work is untitled. He feels the implications of the abstraction provoke highly personal responses from the viewer, and he does not want to risk the possibility of interfering with these responses by labeling the works with reference-giving titles.

While his abstract work is well-appreciated, Rasmussen is perhaps best known for his large paintings and his mural works, which are included in many private and public collections. One of his most recognized works is at the Salt Lake International Airport: each terminal features seven of his grand-scale oil paintings. "Each piece captures a distinctive scene from Utah's unique topography." In addition, Rasmussen has completed many large public commissions concentrating on the landscape of Southern Utah. These paintings can be seen on the walls of many national parks throughout the state.

In addition to having exhibited extensively in Utah, Rasmussen has exhibited his paintings nation-wide and in Paris, France. He was in France for a 1976 "American Painters in Paris" show. In addition, he is a leader in the art community, having served on several panels including the Visual Arts Advisory Panel and the Community Outreach Advisory Panel for the Utah Arts Council, the Central Committee at the Braithewaite Fine Arts Gallery, and the Cedar City Art Committee. Rasmussen also serves as an art consultant across Utah.

Anton Rasmussen's work can be found in many permanent collections including at the Salt Lake International Airport, the Southern Utah University Student Center, L.D.S. Hospital, Zion National Park Visitor's Center, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and the Springville Museum of Art.

Biography courtesy Springville Museum of Art.

Newspaper Articles

"'47 Parade Features More Than 130 Entries." The Deseret News, July 24, 1993.

"Art Auction Oct. 23 In Provo To Benefit Patients Of Utah County IHC Hospitals." The Deseret News, October 14, 1996.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, March 29, 1998.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, December 22, 1996.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, April 2, 1995.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, September 4, 1994.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, July 18, 1993.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, June 23, 1991.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, July 9, 1989.

"Art With A Heart Rape Recovery Center Will Benefit From Auction At La Caille." The Salt Lake Tribune, July 28, 1996.

"Coming Up: Art." The Salt Lake Tribune, April 30, 1995.

"Coming Up: Visual Arts." The Salt Lake Tribune, April 2, 2000.

"Coming Up: Visual Arts." The Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 1998.

"Coming Up: Visual Arts." The Salt Lake Tribune, January 8, 1995.

"Confluence' In Bountiful." The Salt Lake Tribune, February 23, 1992.

"Days Of '47 Show Opens Friday." The Deseret News, July 14, 2002.

"Days Of '47 Art Show." The Deseret News, July 19, 1998.

"Facing Fed Cuts, Arts Center Has Friend: Bountiful Art Center Has A Friend In Bountiful." The Salt Lake Tribune, May 19, 1995.

"Local Film Maker to Premiere Abravanel Movie." The Salt Lake Tribune, June 1, 1980.

"New Galleries Are Facing A Landscape Of Uncertainty." The Deseret News, July 25, 1993.

"Panel Discussion Set Friday On Artist Gittins." The Deseret News, May 3, 1995.

"Provo Art Auctions To Benefit Geriatric Evaluation Center." The Deseret News, October 28, 1994.

"Red Cliffs." Near St. George, Is Part Of Exhibit? Artist Of The Western World Days Of '47 Exhibit Focuses On Anton Rasmussen." The Salt Lake Tribune, July 18, 1993.

"Sculptor Portrays Nobility, Compassion." The Deseret News, July 24, 1994.

"Showing At Local Galleries." The Deseret News, June 13, 2004.

"Showing At Local Galleries." The Deseret News, August 10, 2003.

"Show Highlights Utah Fine Art." The Deseret News, July 15, 2001.

"Shalom On The Range R.S.V.P.: Good People, Good Causes." The Salt Lake Tribune, June 25, 1995.

"U. Fine Arts Program In Moab Offering 10 Workshops, Trips." The Deseret News, March 4, 1990.

"Utah Landscapes Grace Springville Gallery." The Deseret News, November 12, 1989.

"Utah 's Well-Known Artists Round Up Work At Fairpark." The Deseret News, July 17, 1994.

"Visual Arts Calendar." The Salt Lake Tribune, August 5, 1994.

Books

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. Artists of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999.

Rassmussen, Anton J. "Search For Form." M.F.A. thesis, University of Utah, 1974.

Swanson, Vern G., Robert S. Olpin, Donna Poulton, and Janie L. Rogers. 150 Year Survey Utah Art & Artists. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2002.

Swanson, Vern G,, Robert S. Olpin, and William C. Seifrit. Utah Art. Layton, UT. Gibbs Smith Publishing Co, 1991.

Swanson, Vern G., Robert S. Olpin, and William C. Seifrit. Utah Painting and Sculpture. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1997.

Periodicals

South, Will. "Anton J. Rasmussen." Southwest Art, 19, September 4, 1989.

15 Bytes. "ZION: Historic and Contemporary Works Representing Zion National Park." 15 Bytes, December 2002. http://www.artistsofutah.org.