Charles Versaggi
Charles Versaggi is a native San Franciscan of Italian heritage, who now lives in San Rafael. Earning a doctorate in marine biology, he learned to appreciate the wonders of nature both under and above the water — often with camera in tow. A mass-media science fellowship writing for the Milwaukee Journal paved the way to science writing, life science communications, and photojournalism. He has participated in juried group photo exhibitions and has published numerous articles and photoessays.
His recent project was Light as a Feather, a juried exhibition of waterbird photography that celebrated April as the 49th Anniversary of Earth Month. Sponsored by the Mill Valley Arts Commission, First Tuesday Art Walk, the exhibit at Mill Valley City Hall highlighted the variety of birds and their habitats that make Marin County a special place for enjoying the aesthetics of nature.
He is currently working on North Beach Stories, a collection of photoessays that reflect on his early years of living in North Beach when it was the City’s “Italianita” and the center of Beat lifestyle, topless bars, and jazz clubs, leading to flower power and the Summer of Love. Recent photoessays:
One Degree of Separation and a Bicycle (North Beach Stories) Medium 2018
Dignity Honor and Respect: A Spirit’s Last Journey with Green Street Mortuary Marching Band (North Beach Stories) The Bold Italic 2018
The Lion Sleeps Tonight — A Dawn Walk Through SF’s Night Club District The Bold Italic (North Beach Stories) 2018
Artist’s Statement
Like an insatiable moth, I’ve been a light chaser for many years. I love photography for its science, craft, art, and power to expand our vision. But most of all as a tool that enables us to see and share novel perspectives, informing stories that evoke feelings of awe, empathy, and community with the world around us.