Connecting The U.S. Through Art

The Entire U.S. Connected Through Art

From Florida to California and even Alaska,The Nomadic Project is connecting the entire United States through art! After ten months, this conceptual art project has successfully united thirty-three states, and counting.

Artist Kristin Abraham and musician Alfonso Llamas sold their Florida home and possessions in November of 2005, to experience and share the U.S.

They spend a week in each state while Abraham, 23, paints a representative piece from the landscapes, experiences or impressions there. The painting is then placed on exhibit at a gallery in the next state they go to.

Llamas, 25, composes music on his acoustic guitar and records along the way. His songs, her paintings, their journal and photographs are posted on their Web site, TheNomadicProject.com.

James Wolberg, co-founder of the Upfront Gallery in Fargo, said he jumped at the chance to display South Dakota's painting and looks forward to his turn to host the final show - all 50 works will tour the nation in 2007, with music, drawings, journals, e-mails from fans and a film documentary the pair is making along the way.

"It's a really interesting project. They're seeing a lot of people and risking everything on their part." exclaims Wolberg.

Deb Klebanoff, executive director of the Sioux Empire Arts Council, said she responded to an e-mail from the couple by inviting them to display a piece at the gallery. It will be up through the end of the year.

"They sold everything and hit the road - you've got to admire that. And they don't take sponsorships or donations because they don't want a corporation to ever tell them where they should go or what to do on the trip." Klebanoff explained.

The couple stays in a hotel once or twice a week but mostly sleeps in the Honda Element they bought in 2003 especially for the trip. The Nomads encourage individuals along the way to join them through e-mail (TheNomadicProject@gmail.com). Each letter becomes part of the end exhibit, illustrating how the community has influenced and guided the journey.

More information is available at http://TheNomadicProject.com, and through contacting the artists directly at TheNomadicProject@gmail.com.

Contact: Alfonso Llamas
alfonsollamas@gmail.com
239.218.3470