Through May 9, 2026 at Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, Piedmont University
Breath taking landscapes of the Great Plains, up close photographs of herd of bison, bald eagles, rare endangered coyote, and many other native American wildlife are all on spectacular display right now at Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art in a photographic exhibit by photographer, author, film maker, and philanthropist Rhett Turner. Turner is also an outdoorsman and wildlands conservationist as is his father, media mogul and famed conservationist and founder of CNN, Ted Turner. This exhibit showcases the finest photographs that Rhett Turner shot, many during 2020, across the Great Plains, and also in Georgia, of the landscape and wildlife, including endangered bison, wolves, and woodpeckers who live in peace and safety in the thousands of acres of “wildlands” acquired by and managed by the Turner family.
We were privileged to hear remarks and stories from Rhett Turner, including how, while intending to photograph landscapes, Turner came upon a bear in a ravine just below, and luckily after gesturing and calling to his partners, they were able to get the right camera to him for this incredible close-up.
Turner encouraged the audience to view and study our own natural surroundings and settings, to appreciate nature and for photography opportunities. When asked for a trick or tip on how to best shoot outoors photography, Turner’s advice was to “get up early and then stay out late,” as the only way to hopefully get a great shot.
Turner pointed out the importance of wildlife and wildlands conservation, as the Turner’s land protects packs of endangered Mexican Grey Wolves, and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, an endangered species that depends on longleaf pines for survival, and the Turner Foundation has been working hard to restore long leaf pines to support the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Turner was also asked for his insight and opinion on AI’s impact on photography, and Turner shared that his preference is the natural landscape, that you capture, experience and see with your own eyes, personally, that AI could not replace. We have shown just a few of the masterpiece photographs that would appeal to a photography enthusiast or collector, a photographer, lovers of wildlife and the outdoors, and anyone seeking a unique art experience or museum excursion here in North Georgia. We highly recommend visiting this exhibit while it is here in North Georgia, until May 9, 2026: https://www.facebook.com/masonscharfensteinmuseumofart
Please read our past review of the art exhibit still on display and a review of the nearby fine restaurant for a bite after or before your museum visit. Please tell them you read this review on NorthGeorgiaCulture.com!
