December, 2014 – Women of Vision

(West Palm Beach, FL – Nov. 24, 2014) Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment” will open at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre on Jan. 21. Highlighting the influential photography of 11 award-winning female photojournalists, the traveling exhibition is sponsored by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) and will be in Palm Beach until March 22, 2015. The exhibition will kick-off the Photo Centre’s 20th annual FOTOfusion a five-day festival for amateur and professional photographers (Jan. 20-24).

“Women of Vision” features nearly 100 photographs, including moving depictions of far-flung cultures, compelling illustrations of conceptual topics such as memory and teenage brain chemistry, and arresting images of social issues like child marriage and 21st-century slavery. In addition to the photographs, visitors will have an opportunity to learn how National Geographic magazine picture editors work closely with the photographers to select images and tell a story. Video vignettes will present first-person accounts that reveal the photographers’ individual styles, passions and approaches to their craft.

“For the last decade, some of our most powerful stories have been produced by a new generation of photojournalists who are women. These women are as different as the places and the subjects they have covered, but they all share the same passion and commitment to storytelling that has come to define National Geographic,” said Kathryn Keane, vice president of National Geographic Exhibitions. “The exhibition reaffirms the Society’s position as a respected leader in the field of photography.”

PNC and National Geographic have collectively selected exhibition venues based on quality of site and relationships with museum management to ensure a first class exhibition with the ideal local partners, like the Palm Beach Photographic Centre.

PNC’s involvement in the arts is well established throughout its footprint. The bank believes in the power of culturally engaging programs to strengthen the communities where its employees and clients can thrive.

“This National Geographic exhibit beautifully embodies the courage and passion women face throughout the world, while capturing stolen moments of their personal and cultural conflicts and vitality,” said Cressman Bronson, regional president, PNC Bank, Florida East. “It reminds us there is a common thread between recognizing and understanding the challenges, risks and achievements routinely experienced by successful women, whether they’re deciding when to expand a business venture or how to tell a compelling story with a camera.  PNC and National Geographic have a common interest in women who achieve.”

The exhibition underscores National Geographic’s history of documenting the world through photography and its ongoing commitment to supporting photographers as important and innovative storytellers who can make a difference with their work,” said Fatima NeJame, president and chief executive office of the Palm Beach Photographic Centre, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2015. “It also enhances the theme of our upcoming FOTOfusion that is spotlighting the critical role played by women photographers.”

Women of Vision” was curated by National Geographic Senior Photo Editor Elizabeth Krist, who had the challenging task of choosing a selection of images to best represent the broad portfolios of the 11 extraordinary photographers: Lynsey Addario, Kitra Cahana, Jodi Cobb, Diane Cook, Carolyn Drake, Lynn Johnson, Beverly Joubert, Erika Larsen, Stephanie Sinclair, Maggie Steber and Amy Toensing.