Gala Fundraiser To Save Asian Elephants
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WHO: Sangita Iyer is a biologist, National Geographic Explorer, multiple award-winning nature and wildlife filmmaker, former broadcast journalist and author of the 2022 Amazon bestseller "Gods in Shackles: What Elephants Can Teach Us About Empathy, Resilience and Freedom". She is also the Founder of Voice for Asian Elephants Society (VAES), a 501(c)(3) organization with a vision to protect endangered Asian elephants and their habitats in India, while also ensuring that native people and those living near the forest fringes have their basic needs met, so they will be inspired to coexist peacefully with these magnificent animals.
Sangita recently produced a 26-part short docu-series about Asian elephants, funded by the National Geographic Society’s storytelling grant. She’s also the director and producer of the globally acclaimed epic documentary, Gods in Shackles, which was nominated at the United Nations General Assembly, and has garnered 13 international film festival awards.
Sangita received the “Nari Shakthi Puraskaar” – Women Power Award – the highest award for women making a difference in India from the country’s President for her courage to expose the plight of captive elephants that are being exploited for profit behind the veil of culture and religion.
WHAT: A fun evening of films, art, and delicious food to save Asian elephants! Sangita will be speak about the human/elephant conflict in India and screen two of her National Geographic short films about elephants as well as sign her best-selling book, Gods in Shackles. Amy Burkman will be doing a live art performance! There will be wine, appetizers, cupcakes and a live and silent auction. This is a fundraiser for Voice for Asian Elephants Society, founded by Sangita and endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall.
WHEN: Friday, September 23, 2022
WHERE: Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
WHY: Sangita works tirelessly on behalf of the heritage animal of her native India. Funds raised during the gala will help build railroad sensors to protect the iconic elephants from tragedies caused by speeding trains in India. By employing indigenous people, VFAES is creating a peaceful coexistence between people and elephants of West Bengal.
VIP Meet and Greet with Sangita Iyer: 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m., plus Lush Gift Bag and Gods in Shackles DVD: $95
General Admission: 6 p.m. $75
Tickets can be purchased here!
Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA) in Balboa Park
The mission of the Museum of Photographic Arts is to inspire, educate and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film and video. Since its founding in 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) has been devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public tours. The Museum of Photographic Arts is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member-supported, private, non-profit institution. Additional support for museum programs is provided in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, the Weingart-Price Fund, the San Diego Foundation, Patrons of the Prado and the National Endowment for the Arts. MOPA is located in Balboa Park in the Casa De Balboa building, east of the main traffic circle and central fountain. Gallery Admissions: MOPA has a pay-what-you-wish admission policy. Recommended pricing is $8 adults $7 seniors and retired military $6 students FREE to members, active military & dependents, and children 12 & under FREE to school groups with advanced reservation San Diego Residents' Free Tuesdays San Diego City and County residents and all active military members get in FREE, every second TUESDAY of the month. Please bring your ID. Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Summer Hours: Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through the summer. Closed: Mondays, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Holiday Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Includes: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)
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