Mark Chamberlain (photographer)

Mark Phineas Chamberlain is an American photographic/environmental/installation artist, gallery owner and curator. He was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa (See List of people from Dubuque, Iowa), received his BA in Political Science in 1965, and Masters in Operations Research in 1967, from the University of Iowa. Chamberlain was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and stationed in Korea during the American War in Vietnam. On discharge from the army, he changed his previous career course to become a photographic artist. He explains, "While stationed overseas, I picked up a camera to maintain my sanity and provide a creative outlet. I also took classes in the Korean language and history and found a photography mentor in the military crafts program. Returning home, I had a growing desire to find an outlet for this newfound passion." In 1969, Chamberlain moved to Southern California, aspiring to open a photographic art gallery.

Mark Chamberlain co-founded BC Space Gallery and Photographic Art Services, Laguna Beach in 1973 with Jerry Burchfield (now deceased), and has operated the space solely since 1987. The venue, perhaps one of the longest continually running fine art photography galleries in the country, also hosts community, political and solstice events, theatrical and musical performances.

With BC as a base of operations, Chamberlain and Burchfield co-founded “Laguna Canyon Project: The Continuous Document” (1980-2010) to record changes to Laguna Canyon over time. A crucial phase of this project was The Tell photographic mural, which in 1989 became the site of an enormous Demonstration that helped avert development of the area into a massive housing community. That site is today incorporated into Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

In 2002, the art partners co-founded "The Legacy Project," which has been documenting the transition of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro into the Orange County Great Park. "The Legacy Project" members, ultimately numbering six, created The Great Picture, one of the largest photographs in the world made as a single seamless image.

On October 22, 2014, Mark Chamberlain received a Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award as “Artistic Visionary” from Arts Orange County. The award was presented at the Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA.

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