Archives: March2009

• Stories and Images in East Asian Art

  March 12, 2009 – February 24, 2010: Drawn from the Museum’s collection, this exhibition features Korean screen paintings with auspicious Chinese narratives juxtaposed with the Chinese ceramics of the Qing dynasty (1616–1912) that are decorated with the similar themes.

• BOTSWANA YOUTH TO DOCUMENT WILD ANIMALS WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

  WASHINGTON (March 2, 2009)—Fifteen youth from northern Botswana will have the unique opportunity to document and learn about wildlife in the Okavango Delta during National Geographic Photo Camp Botswana this month. From Saturday, March 7, to Thursday, March 12, the young photographers will photograph, edit and design a portrait of the animals living in the Selinda Reserve, a 320,000-acre private wildlife sanctuary. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the Selinda Reserve and Children in the Wilderness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education and recreation to children affected by life-threatening conditions.

  During the five-day workshop, National Geographic magazine contributing photographer Lynn Johnson and environmental educators from Children in the Wilderness will guide the children from the five Okavango Community Trust villages as they explore the protected reserve and document the wild animals they encounter through photography and writing, using cameras and laptops provided by National Geographic. The Photo Camp will give the participants a chance to connect and interact positively with animals such as lions and elephants that they have viewed and encountered negatively as animals that threaten their communities, crops, livestock or livelihoods.

  “We hope that Photo Camp 2009 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president, Mission Programs. “We are honored to participate in this endeavor.”

  A presentation of the students’ work will be held on March 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wilderness Safaris office in Maun.

  The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation’s connection to the natural world.

  EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

  National Geographic Mission Programs has sponsored previous Photo Camps in Uganda, India, Costa Rica and many U.S. cities, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

  In addition to Johnson’s work for National Geographic magazine, she has covered editorial assignments for various national and international publications and private corporations. Her photographic skills allow her to take pictures that are intimate and enlightening. Johnson has won numerous awards, including Picture of the Year from the National Press Photographers Association and four World Press Photography Awards.

  The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

  Children in the Wilderness is dedicated to helping children whose childhoods have been interrupted and disrupted by life-threatening conditions such as illness, poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Using environmental education, therapeutic recreation and good old-fashioned fun, Children in the Wilderness exposes children to new opportunities, increases their self-esteem, builds and strengthens their capabilities to cope with life’s challenges and educates them with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential. For more information about Children in the Wilderness, visit www.childreninthewilderness.com.

  The Selinda Reserve is one of Botswana’s most famous private reserves that offers all the intimacy and exclusive, eco-friendly tourism experiences that Botswana has become known for. The 320,000-acre private wildlife sanctuary in the northern part of Botswana is unique because it is shared by a maximum of 32 guests at any time. Accommodation is in a selection of intimately sized camps. For more information about the Selinda Reserve, visit www.selindareserve.com.