Photographer Paul Nicklen Kicks Off Omaha Performing Arts' National Geographic Speaker Series Tonight

Omaha Performing Arts presents National Geographic Live Polar Obsession, with Paul Nicklen, wildlife photographer, tonight, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Nicklen is the first speaker in a new series for Omaha Performing Arts, the Speaker Series. Tickets start at $20 and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St.

Nicklen will share entertaining stories of his adventures as an award-winning photographer in the artic regions, accompanied by stunning images. Whether he is ice diving among leopard seals in Antarctica, living on sea ice for months on end at -40F temperatures, or mastering aerial shots from his ultralight airplane, he has specialized in photographing polar regions since 1995.

Growing up in a small Inuit community in Canada's Arctic, Nicklen spent his early years hunting and traveling. On Baffin Island, Nicklen developed strong field skills and a keen interest in observing wildlife. After completing a Bachelors of Science in biology at the University of Victoria, Nicklen returned to the Northwest Territories and began his career as a biologist. However, his camera was always at his side, and his hobby turned into his profession.

Nicken has published 13 stories for National Geographic Magazine, including the August 2011 cover story on spirit bears and the November 2012 underwater story on emperor penguins.

His latest book, Polar Obsession, was published by National Geographic in November 2009 and was in its third printing within months of publication. He has received more than 20 international awards, including five awards with World Press Photo (including Nature: First Prize Story 2010), three with Pictures of the Year International, and 14 with BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

In addition to presenting a TED2011 talk, he has appeared on television shows such as Jeopardy and in YouTube videos receiving millions of hits. More recently, he was named the 2012 Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year and is the recipient of the first ever NRDC Biogems Award.

Polar Obsession with Paul Nicklen is February 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas streets. Tickets start at $20 and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St.

ABOUT OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS: Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the citizens of Omaha and surrounding communities. In its two venues: the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, the organization presents the best of Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment. Omaha Performing Arts also offers a range of educational programs and free community events that support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. In addition, the organization provides comprehensive ticketing services through Ticket Omaha, the official ticket retailer for the Orpheum and Holland.

Omaha Performing Arts' performances are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, as well as corporate sponsors, private donors and foundations. For more information, visit OmahaPerformingArts.org.

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