Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) held its first-ever solo photography exhibit during the first Art Walk of the year on January 3rd. More than 230 attendees attended the reception and viewed the work of Marion County photographer Alan Abele during the opening of the artist’s first-ever exhibit.
Abele’s unique artistic process includes photographing his subjects using film and a Hasselblad camera. Abele, owner of Fine Arts Photography in Dunnellon, then sends his film to a lab in Germany where high-quality, archival prints are created. With a variety of sizes in this collection, some of Abele’s prints are as large as 24” by 24”, and the largest measures 46” by 34”. Abele’s photographs are images that display a deep awareness of the presence—and the absence—of light.
“My interest is what’s called the identification of beauty and to be able to present that in a comprehensive collection so that others can see these things as meaningful,” Abele says of his body of work.
About his artistic process, he says, “It takes time and effort. It doesn’t happen by itself.”
MCA’s Gallery Director and Events Manager Ashley Justiniano says it was exciting for its first photography exhibit to be film photography. Established in 2001, MCA’s mission is to champion, convene and create opportunities for artists and arts organizations. The alliance has donated over $1.5 million to local arts and established a cultural endowment fund.
“It’s amazing for it to be a film photography exhibit, which is unique nowadays. The size of each image and the passion you see from Alan is inspiring,” Justiniano says. “Coming up in January we’ll host a talk with Alan about his film photography process and how it’s like a lost art.”
The Abele exhibit runs at MCA through February 1st.
For more information on this exhibit and future events at The Brick, visit https://mcaocala.org/
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Fridays 11am to 5pm, and Saturdays 11am to 4pm. Contact Gallery Director at ashley.justiniano@mcaocala.com or call 352-369-1500.
