03 Dec CANDL Fine Art Opens First Photography Exhibition: Sacred Waters of the Okefenokee by Mark Albertin at CANDL
CANDL Fine Art Opens First Photography Exhibition: Sacred Waters of the Okefenokee
Augusta, GA — December 3, 2024 — CANDL Fine Art announces Sacred Waters of the Okefenokee, its first photography exhibition, opening Friday, December 6, 2024. This First Friday event features the work of Mark Albertin, whose large-scale black-and-white photographs capture the beauty and fragility of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a rare and endangered ecosystem in southeastern Georgia.
Albertin’s photography documents Okefenokee’s 684 square miles of biodiversity, unspoiled by development. The refuge is a designated dark-sky site that offers a glimpse of the natural world largely untouched by modern infrastructure. The exhibition’s is a collection of images taken with vintage cameras and lenses in 120mm, 4×5, and 8×10 formats, highlighting Albertin’s commitment to traditional film techniques.
The show builds on Albertin’s decades-long career as a storyteller. Since 1999, he has produced documentary films focused on the history and culture of Southern communities. His work has been featured on PBS and in film festivals nationwide. In 2022, he received the Susan A.K. Shaffer Humanitarian Award at the Beaufort International Film Festival for his documentary Sacred Waters – The Okefenokee in Peril. This exhibition represents the next phase of that project, coinciding with the release of Albertin’s second book, The Sacred Waters of the Okefenokee, in Spring 2025.
Albertin’s photography reflects his lifelong passion for the medium. From learning darkroom techniques as a college student to founding Albertin Film Photography and a community darkroom in 2016, he has dedicated himself to preserving and teaching black-and-white photography. His first photography book, Along the Fall Line (2024), explored five years of life across Georgia and South Carolina.
“The Okefenokee series is about more than art; it’s about advocacy,” said Albertin. “The swamp is one of the last remaining sanctuaries of its kind. These images aim to inspire action to protect it.”
The exhibition will run from December 6 to December 27, 2024, and is free and open to the public.
Opening Reception Details
- When: Friday, December 6, 2024 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Where: CANDL Fine Art, [Gallery Address]
- Admission: Free
About Mark Albertin
Mark Albertin is a filmmaker, photographer, and educator whose work explores the South’s history, culture, and natural landscapes. He holds an associate’s degree in printing and publishing and has worked extensively in the printing and photography industries. Albertin’s projects include award-winning documentaries and exhibitions at venues like The Aiken Center for the Arts and The Morris Museum of Art. Through his films, photography, and teaching, he continues to highlight the stories and places that define the region.
Artist Talk on December 21, 2024, 2pm