Mark Holter, North Dakota Artist

Updated 01/18/2026

News: Updated 01/18/2026

Happy New Year! I mentioned in my last 2025 that besides revamping my "Phantasmagoria" show for it's 2026 gallery tour (more on that later), I was struggling with "artist block". For the life of me, I couldn't think of anything new to create. Leave it to good old professional wrestling to help me break the wall. You may not know this about me, but from 2008 - 2014 I was part owner of an independent pro wrestling company in Minot, ND called Northern Outlaw Wrestling. I also wrestled (more like a rodeo clown) as a masked character called The Piranha. When I created the character my thought was, nobody wants to watch a pudgy, middle-aged guy in tights. The Piranha wore a colorful bodysuit. Being that character gave me the freedom to be creative in new ways. So, with that in mind, I created a masked artist character in October and created some new art pieces as that character. Sound a little crazy? Maybe, but it was a lot of fun. The masked supervillain is called GhostCurrent, and the series I created in that mindset will be at Gallery 4 at the end of January.
As far as my Phantasmagoria show goes, I got some great feedback at ValleyCon here in Fargo in October of 2025. That show was picked up by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association to tour four North Dakota art galleries in 2026/2027. Phantasmagoria will be at the Ellendale Opera House in June of 2026, the Lake Region Arts Center in August, and at Bismarck State College from Oct 5th to Nov 13th, 2026. It will then travel to Williston, ND in February 2027 to visit the James Memorial Art Center!

Artist Statement & Bio

Artist’s Bio:

Mark grew up in North Dakota and joined the US Navy in 1989. He found his way back to North Dakota after 10 years and eventually ended up in Fargo. Mark has created art in one form or another

most of his life. Growing up as a fan of EC Comics, sci-fi, and horror movies, Mark started with drawing cartoons and comics. He enjoys storytelling and was involved with community theater for many years while in the Navy and while living in Williston and Minot. Before joining the Navy, Mark’s dream was to become a practical special effects artist. While he ended up going a different route, he still gets to create “weird stuff” in his art studio. Art is a way for Mark to express himself and to explore his creative side in a “mad scientist” sort of way. Atomic Luchador is the name Mark gave his art studio. He came up with the name from his days as a pro wrestling promoter and wrestler (2008-2014), believing art, like pro wrestling, should be colorful and dramatic.

Artist’s Statement:

“I enjoy challenging people and exploring perception. Whichever medium and style I work in on a given piece is my method of communication. If asked to define myself as an artist, I'd say I'm a communicator, translator, explorer, student, and guide. I want you to see me, and the most honest way is through my art. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and materials. I like creating artifacts and the mythology around those artifacts. I want to create more than an image, I want to create a story. I want to capture imagination and engage the viewer.