Peter Bethanis Jr.
Peter Bethanis was raised in Maine and is a multidisciplinary artist working across poetry, visual art, writing, and performance. He earned a BA from the University of Maine at Farmington and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His work reflects a wide range of creative interests, spanning literary, visual, and performance traditions.
Art
Peter’s visual work has appeared in journals, galleries, and exhibitions including So It Goes (Kurt Vonnegut Museum), Indianapolis Review, Adirondack Review, and Split Lip. His work has been shown at venues such as the Chow Gallery (Chicago), the Murphy Arts Center, and the Indianapolis Chase Bank Building (one-man show). His paintings are held in private collections.
Poetry
Peter’s poems have appeared in over fifty literary journals, including Poetry, Tar River Poetry, Notre Dame Review, and Lullwater Review. His work has been anthologized and reviewed in publications such as the Mellon Press Anthology and Atticus.
He was selected by former U.S. Poet Laureate James Dickey for the Eve of St. Agnes Poetry Prize and has been featured multiple times in Poetry Magazine. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and he has been a finalist for numerous national awards, including the Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize and the Weldon Kees Prize.
He has given readings at venues including the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, bookstores, and universities.
Books
Dada and Surrealism for Beginners (Random House)
American Future (Entasis Press)
Li Po, Li Hua, and the Sophist (Fernwood Press, forthcoming 2026)
Writing
His creative nonfiction, fiction, and essays have appeared in publications including The Indianapolis Star, Chrysalis, and Hinterland. He has been a finalist for the Black Mountain Novel Prize.
Music
He is a prolific songwriter and a founding member of the rock band The Martian Vote.
Stage Performance
Peter has performed stand-up comedy at venues including Crackers and Morty’s.
Teaching
Peter has taught at several universities, including Butler University and Indiana University Kokomo. He is currently a professor at Ball State University, where he has taught in the writing program for over twenty-eight years.