"Marco Polo and the Silk Road: East Meets West" - a Hemmeter History Lecture presented by Michael Yamashita '67

On February 11, 2009, National Geographic photographer and Montclair Academy alumnus Michael Yamashita (’67) will present “Marco Polo and the Silk Road:  East Meets West”  as part of the Hemmeter History Lecture Series.  Mr. Yamashita will talk about his travels retracing this most fascinating of historical figures, against a backdrop of his award-winning photographs of the trip. 

Yamashita has traveled all over the world as a photographer for National Geographic,  specializing in topics dealing with Asia.  Major exhibits of his work have shown in Asia, Europe and the United States.  He has been awarded numerous professional awards, including those from the National Press Photographers Association Pictures of the Year, the New York Art Director’s Club, and the Asian-American Journalists Association.  In addition, Yamashita has co-authored several books including:  Marco Polo, The Great Wall and Zheng He.  

This lecture will begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue until 8:15 p.m. in the MKA Upper School Library, 6 Lloyd Road, Montclair.  Mr. Yamashita’s books will be for sale before and after the lecture, and an exhibition of his photographs will be on display in the Weiss Gallery.  This event is free of charge and open to the public.