The Park City Institute

Presents

Wild Hope

Photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale shares her personal odyssey—from documenting the heartbreaking realities of war to witnessing the inspiring power of an individual to make a difference. Her work has taken her to more than 100 countries. She’s lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit—all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.”

Early in her career, Vitale documented the worst conflicts unfolding across the planet–from the war in Kosovo to the abiding conflict between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir. More recently, she has turned her lens to wildlife stories, exploring the increasingly complex relationships between humans, wildlife, and this abundant but fragile planet we call home. Her coverage of Kenya’s first indigenous-owned and run elephant sanctuary earned her World Press Photo recognition in 2018. The October 2019 cover story of National Geographic featured Vitale’s tender image of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, and the heroic efforts of the local people to save a species. And in China, she was given unprecedented access to document the efforts to breed pandas and release them back into the wild.

Join her as she shares the incredible images and adventures that have transformed her into a celebrated global storyteller, photographer, and filmmaker.

Theater

The Eccles Center is the largest theater in Park City, Utah with 1,269 seats. It is home to Park City Institute's Main Stage Season from October through April each year, presenting a broad range of world-class performing arts from international dance companies to Broadway icons to beloved author/humorists to virtuosos in a host of musical styles from Chamber Music to rock'n'roll.

Health and Safety

The Park City Institute and the Park City School District have taken measures to assure the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and performers. These include updated HVAC, touchless restrooms, electronic ticketing, electronic programs, all volunteers and staff to be fully vaccinated, enhanced cleaning, and empty seats. We ask that all patrons wear a mask until seated and whenever moving about the building.

Ami Vitale

Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale has lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit—all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.” She has traveled to more than 100 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and to the enduring power of the human spirit. Recently, she has turned her lens to compelling wildlife stories, such as returning critically endangered, captive-born species like the giant pandas back to the wild, and attempts to save the last living northern white rhinos from extinction.

Vitale’s work is exhibited worldwide in museums, galleries, and private collections. She has garnered prestigious awards including multiple prizes from World Press Photo, the International Photographer of the Year prize, and the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting. She has also been named Magazine Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographer's Association.

Vitale is a founding member of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of scientists, writers, photographers and filmmakers who document challenges facing women and girls in developing countries and donate that media to the organizations to assist in fundraising. She is chair of the Photographers Advisory Board for National Geographic magazine photographers and a member of the Executive Advisory Committee of the Alexia Foundation's Photojournalism Advisory Board.

Based in Montana, Vitale is a contract photographer with National Geographic magazine and frequently gives inspiring talks and workshops throughout the world.

You can learn more about Ami, her latest film Shaba, her work and causes at https://www.amivitale.com/

The 2021-22 Main Stage Series is made possible with the generous support from the following individuals and organizations:

John & Jean Yoblonski, Shawn Fojtik, Rachel and Robert Alday, Holly Etlin & Andrew Krieger, the KTC Fund, Robin Hauser, Terry Homer & Ann Marie Horner, Cole Sport, PBS Utah, The Park City Community Foundation, and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums