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About Pops Peterson
Pops Peterson is an acclaimed American artist and public speaker, well known for his reimagining of the works of Norman Rockwell. Peterson's contemporary interpretations of Rockwell's iconic paintings address themes of social justice, civil rights, and contemporary American identity. In speaking engagements coast to coast, he illuminates the brave artists through the centuries here and abroad who have used their talents and influence to advance civil rights for all, as well as encouraging his audiences to embrace their own power to make their world more fair and equitable.
Early Life and Education
Peterson graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. Prior to his university education, he attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he majored in art and graduated in 1969. He also studied at the Pratt Institute, taking studio classes in 1969.
Public Art
Media Coverage
Artistic Career
Reinventing Rockwell Series
Peterson is best known for his "Reinventing Rockwell" series, which reimagines Norman Rockwell's classic American paintings through a contemporary lens. His work "Freedom from What?" has become particularly significant, offering a modern interpretation of Rockwell's Four Freedoms paintings that addresses current social and political issues.
Major Exhibitions
Peterson's work has been exhibited in prestigious venues across the United States. His solo exhibition "Rockwell Revisited" was featured at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts from October 2020 to May 2021—their longest-running solo exhibition. In 2023, The State House of Massachusetts featured Peterson’s work in two galleries concurrently—the first for a solo artists—and also became their longest running solo exhibition. Other significant exhibitions include "Reimagining Freedom" at the Denver Art Museum (2019-2020), where his work was featured on a solo wall, and "Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms" at Georgetown University (2019).
His work has also been displayed at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, Michigan, the Massachusetts State House, and various galleries throughout the Berkshires region. In 2025, two of his paintings were selected for permanent installation in the US Embassy in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, curated by the Art in Embassies program.
Peterson has created several notable public art installations, including the monumental "Walk with Her" mural on College Way in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and the permanent installation "Mythological Pittsfield" at the Hotel on North in Pittsfield, which has been on display since 2015.
Public Speaking and Advocacy
Peterson is an active public speaker who presents on topics related to art, civil rights, and social justice. His signature presentation, "The Making of a Protest Artist," has been delivered at numerous venues including UC Riverside, various high schools and libraries, and community organizations. He has also presented "Reinventing Rockwell" at institutions such as The New School, the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.
He has served as an on-stage host and interviewer at the Berkshires International Film Festival, facilitating discussions with filmmakers of socially conscious documentaries including "Food and Country," "Invisible Beauty," and "Acts of Reparations."
Awards and Recognition
Peterson has received numerous honors for his artistic and advocacy work. In 2025, he was voted one of the Top 5 Changemakers for Columbia County by Capital Region Independent Media. He received a Governor's Citation in 2023 for his "Breaking Barriers" art exhibition at the Massachusetts State House, which raised awareness about overcoming barriers and stigma in the disabled community.
In 2015, Peterson became the first Artist-in-Residence of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and received the Advancement of Civil Rights Award at the 9th Annual Northeast Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference.
Peterson's work has garnered significant media attention. He was featured on CBS Sunday Morning in a segment titled "Reinventing the Four Freedoms" and has been profiled in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and NPR. His work has been covered by various regional publications including The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Magazine, and The Artful Mind.
Publications and Educational Use
Peterson's artwork has been incorporated into educational materials, including Simon and Schuster's "Rereading America" textbook, where "Freedom from What?" is featured for discussion. His work has also been used by the Bavarian Institute for School Quality and Educational Research and the Goethe Institute in Frankfurt, Germany.
From 2013 to 2014, Peterson maintained an advice blog called "Come to Papa."
Legacy and Impact
Through his reinterpretation of Norman Rockwell's work, Peterson has created a bridge between America's idealized past and its complex present, using art as a vehicle for social commentary and civil rights advocacy. His work challenges viewers to examine contemporary American society through the lens of the values and freedoms that Rockwell originally depicted, making him a significant voice in contemporary American art and social discourse.