VICTORIA, BC—Wildlife Photographer of the Year returns to the Royal BC Museum from Feb. 14-March 29, 2020 for an exclusive Western Canadian engagement. This ever-popular, family-friendly exhibition, now in its 55th year, comes from the Natural History Museum in London, and showcases outstanding nature photography from around the world—including Canada.
Stunningly framed by huge backlit displays, each of the winning 100 images tells a compelling story. China’s Yongqing Bao won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year title for The Moment, his remarkable image of a confrontation between a Tibetan fox and a marmot. Conveying both humour and horror, it captures the drama and intensity of the natural world.
“Wildlife Photographer of the Year focuses on the beauty of nature as our life-support system—one that reveals a planet in which the human footprint is dangerously large,” says Royal BC Museum CEO Prof. Jack Lohman. “These are themes that will also feature in our upcoming exhibition, Orcas: Our Shared Future, opening May 15, 2020.”
The featured images were selected by an international jury from more than 50,000 entries from almost 100 countries. The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition champions ethical photography; images are chosen for their artistic composition, technical innovation and truthful interpretation of the natural world.
The Royal BC Museum will offer complementary programming during the exhibition, including:
- Photography Workshop for Adults: Learn how to take better nature photographs under the guidance of professionals, including the museum’s own photographer. March 7, 9 am-3 pm in Newcombe Conference Hall (and outdoors); $45 per person.
- Night Shift: Come for the party, stay for the exhibition! Canadian photographer Jo-Anne McArthur, whose highly commended image is featured in the exhibition, will serve as docent during Vintage Valentines on Feb. 14, 8 pm to midnight. 19+ with ID; $49.95 (includes entry to Wildlife Photographer of the Year).
- Spring Break camps:
- Focus on Nature (ages 7-11): Aspiring shutterbugs will develop their skills in photo composition and storytelling through hands-on experience. Campers will spend time exploring the Natural History gallery and studying the award-winning images in the exhibition. Then they’ll venture into nearby Beacon Hill Park to capture their own dynamic nature shots. March 16-20 and 23-27, 9 am-4 pm; $280 per person; before- and after-camp care available.
- Mini Focus on Nature (ages 4-6): While the older campers adventure into nature, the mini-campers will get a bit messy. Inspired by the exhibition, they’ll discover strange and fascinating elements of the natural world and explore them creatively with paint and clay. March 16-20 and 23-27, 9 am-noon; $140 per person; before-camp care available.
- Wonder Sundays: This family-friendly Sunday afternoon series will build off the exhibition to focus on the theme of Animals in Love, exploring the surprisingly different ways animals interact with each other: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 1-3 pm; free with admission or membership.
For more information about these programs—including registration links—visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/learn.
About the Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations), we are a hub of community connections in BC–onsite, offsite and online–taking pride in our collective histories.
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