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News and Updates
 Dec.
17 , 2011: Book Production to Begin Soon
Today we formalized arrangements with a book broker for the
production of Sri Lanka and the Kandy Esala Perahera.
Trista Sample and I have been working with book designer Mayapriya
Long since July and together we've created something really
special. The process has taken longer than I first thought,
but I have to keep reminding myself that, "What is made
with time, time respects."
I would anticipate that the book will be available sometime
in very late February or early March. We will most definitely
have an exhibition and opening reception somewhere in the
Detroit area to formally launch this body of work. I will
keep you informed about all the planning in the months to
come. I'm looking for a suitable venue now, if you have any
ideas please let me know.
The photo above right shows the front jacket cover. The yellow
title and framing will be gold foil stamped and the photograph
will be UV gloss coated – so it should look wonderful!
The book has 272 pages and more than 300 photographs and illustrations.
Obviously we'll be monitoring the production of the book as
closely as we can. It seems that soon this dream will become
a reality.
Thank you all for your support and goodwill. (Click
on photo above for a larger image.)
 Sept.
2, 2011: Prints Completed for Kickstarters Supporters
Trista Sample makes a final inspection of the prints supporters
of the Kickstarter effort will be receiving. Each print is
encased in a custom handmade sleeve complete with a red and
gold elephant emblem. In the coming weeks the prints will
be delivered to all those who pledged an amount rewarded with
a print only. The supporters who pledged an amount for a book
and print will be sent their print when the book is received
later this year. (Click
on photo for a larger image.)
 July
31, 2011: Design production begins. Michael meets with book
designer Mayapriya Long.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mayapriya Long lives
and works in her home studio near the town of Lovingston,
Virginia. Mayapriya, a name she acquired during her time in
India, will be assembling the material in a manner that reflects
our impressions of the religious and cultural nature of the
region. Mayapriya is a great designer and a great individual.
(Click
on photo for a larger image.)
July 1, 2011 Project update: Print
and Book Production
 We
have started making prints for the contributors of the Kickstarter
program. We will be printing more than 140 photographs! We
anticipate distributing these prints during the month of August.
We are also making final adjustments to the text and images
for the book. Our goal is to have all the book material to
the designer at the end of this month. The book will be in
the hands of the designer Mayapriya Long during the month
of August. Once the design is completed we will then send
if off for printing. Again our goal is to have the finished
book in hand by November. We will do everything we can to
stay on this timeline. (Click
on photo for a larger image.)
June
15, 2011: Serendib Magazine Feature Story
The most recent issue of Serendib Magazine published
by BT Options includes a feature story on Michael Sarnacki’s
work about the Kandy Esala Perahera. The issue includes both
photographs and the written text by Michael Sarnacki. The
magazine will be distributed in all fights of Sri Lankan Airlines
during the months of June and July of 2011.
June 9, 2011
"Photographer
Goes Online to Finance a Distant Artistic Calling"
– SecondAct.com
June
1, 2011: Kickstarter Fundraising Successful
 Through
the thoughtful generosity of more the 175 individuals the
fundraising effort on Kickstarter was successful. The project’s
goal was surpassed on the very last day of the program. In
the coming weeks the manuscript and photographs will be turned
over to a superb graphic artist for book design. Please check
back here for further updates. Thank you all for your support
and well wishes.
June 1, 2011
"Royal
Oak photographer raises $20,000 online for book"
– The Daily Tribune
May 23, 2011
"An
Interview with Photographer Michael Sarnacki" –
NewsNow.lk - Sri Lanka
May 21, 2011
"Royal
Oak Photographer Tries to ‘Kickstart’ Book"
– The Daily Tribune
April
17, 2011: Fundraising
Today
we started a major fundraising effort using Kickstarter,
a site used by artists to raise money to produce their project.
A video on the site explains the project and what the funds
will be used for. The funding goal is $20,000. The deadline
for the fundraising effort is June 1st. If the goal is not
reached, we receive no funding. It is an all or nothing proposition.
We urge everyone to visit the site and make a contribution
to this project. It also is important to inform your friends
and colleagues about this effort. To support this project
through Kickstarter, please
click here.
September
1, 2010: Back home again
I've just arrived home again after spending the last three
weeks in Sri Lanka. It seems that the majority of my time
was spent traveling to attend meetings regarding the publication
of the book.
During my travels to Colombo, I met with Dammikka Sriwardhana,
a very talented designer, along with Dharani Karunaratne,
a Sri Lankan publisher, who is "very keen" on printing
and distributing the book. I am eagerly awaiting a formal
proposal from these individuals which will detail an arrangement
to design and publish this assembled body of work.
Although I had less time to photograph this trip, I did have
time to make a few new friends and reacquaint myself with
some people I’ve known for many years. I again had the
opportunity to meet with Sri Lankan President Rajapakshe.
He looked a bit tired and I couldn’t help but tell him
not to work so hard. He laughed and said he had no option.
 April
27, 2010: Washington D.C. meeting
with Sri Lankan ambassador to the United States
American photographer Michael Sarnacki presents a copy of
his manuscript, Sri Lanka and the Kandy Esala Perahera;
Discovering the Spirit of Buddha in the Land of Elephants,
to Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya. Mr. Sarnacki has been
researching and photographing the festival since 1995. The
project is meant to increase international awareness about
Sri Lanka’s important religious and cultural heritage.
Under the direction of Ambassador Wickramasuriya, plans are
now being made for a major book and exhibition. Both the book
and exhibition will be made available in the United States,
Canada, in numerous European countries, and of course in Sri
Lanka. These special projects, detailing the grand Kandy Esala
Perahera, are expected to add to an increase in tourism.
April
2010: Upcoming Meeting with Sri Lankan ambassador the United
States
With the assistance of minister Wasantha Perera, a meeting
is scheduled with the Sri Lankan ambassador to the United
States, His Excellency Jaliya Wickramasuriya
October 8, 2009, Toronto: Meeting
with the Sri Lankan ambassador to Canada
Michael Sarnacki met with Bandula Jayasekara, Consul General
for Sri Lanka, to discuss the project as well as publication
and exhibition possibilities.
August 5, 2009, Kandy: Meeting the
President of Sri Lanka
 On
Poya Day, Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapakshe, was presented
with a manuscript of the book and a photograph of an elephant
in front of the Dalada Maligawa. The presentation was made
at the President’s House by the American author and photographer,
Michael Sarnacki, accompanied by Dhammika Swarnasinghe and
Buddhie Ramawickrama of Kandy as well as Sarath Ekanayake,
Chief Minister of the Central Province. The book will go into
production in the coming months and a series of exhibitions
are being planned to coincide with the publication. Exhibitions
of the photographs are being planned in the United States,
Canada and at the Queens Hotel for all Kandyans to view.
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