Within My Means: Annenberg Space for Photography National Geographic Photo Ark

January 16, 2019

Annenberg Space for Photography National Geographic Photo Ark

I caught an exhibit in its final hour on Sunday, and I'm so thankful I made the effort to go. "Photo Ark" at the Annenberg Space for Photography is a multiyear photo essay by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who has made it his mission to photograph every living animal species in zoos and sanctuaries in more than 40 countries throughout the world. The goal of the exhibit is to bring viewers eye to eye with endangered wildlife, inspiring conservation of species at risk.

Of course I left it till the eleventh hour before making it to the museum. The building itself looked so beautiful in the sunset golden light. The Annenberg Space for Photography has free admission, and validated parking is only $1.50 on weekends.

Because the exhibit was closing within the hour that I entered, two of the most exciting aspects of the exit were not available to me: the last screening of the documentary had already happened, and the photo studio where guests could pose with a backdrop of their favorite animal was closed. I made do with my own selfies as the museum emptied out.

Luckily, the exhibit has been extended one more week. It's open for added days on Wednesday, January 16th through Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 21st. It's rainy this week in Southern California, and there's a teacher strike in the LAUSD, so the museum is a great outlet for kids and adults alike.