For ten days in December, an entire nation will be united through art. One gallery, museum or art center in each of the fifty states is participating to make The Nomadic Project possible, and The Whistler Museum of Art is representing the state of Massachusetts.

It all began when visual artist, Kristin Abraham and musician, Alfonso Llamas saw the United States divided through politics, war, and religion. In a search to find unity, the artists realized that they needed to get back to the source. That meant the land; one nation divided into fifty uniquely different states. Instead of searching for common ground, Abraham and Llamas set out to celebrate the diversities within this broken nation, and pull it all together with art.

Living out of their orange Honda Element, Abraham and Llamas have already connected forty states. After spending a week in each state, Abraham responds to her experiences by painting a 24 x 30” canvas. That painting is carried to the next state, where one gallery displays the piece until the end of the year. This process physically unites the country through art, by blurring state borders.

The Whistler Museum of Art was established in 1908, and is the birthplace of American born artist, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The artist is most famous for his painting titled"Arrangement in Gray and Black," (a.k.a. "Whistler's Mother"). The museum maintains a permanent collection of 19th and 20th century American art, and organizes contemporary and historical fine art exhibitions. From now until the end of the year, the museum will be hosting the Maine-inspired painting from The Nomadic Series. The piece is titled “Capturing the Clouds,” by Kristin Abraham.

From December 21st-31st all of America will be participating, when one gallery is displaying a single painting. “Without the participation of the local communities, this type of project could never be possible. Their support encourages us that art can bridge the gap between lands, languages, politics and religion.” Abraham shares.

Llamas is recording the experience through original music and video. While he does not create a song for every state, like Abraham’s art, he works on a documentary of this physical and emotional journey. As the artists travel, they encourage communities to participate online at www.TheNomadicProject.com. The artwork, music, video trailer and even journal entries can be viewed as the project unfolds.

In November of 2007, all of the work created during the journey will be united for the first time in a physical exhibit that is scheduled to travel to each region of the country. The exhibit will begin in Florida and follow the path of The Nomadic Project. Any emails that Abraham and Llamas receive along the way will become part of a path that leads viewers to each of the fifty paintings.

As Abraham and Llamas travel through their last ten states, they continue to record their experiences. Abraham is scribbling through her fifth sketchbook, while Llamas journals online. These records indicate how the country has revealed itself to them, and changed the way they view life. Abraham and Llamas hope that The Nomadic Project will bring excitement and inspiration to those who call this land their home.  

To learn more about The Nomadic Project, log on to www.TheNomadicProject.com and view images from each state. For information regarding The Whistler Museum of Art visit www.whistlerhouse.org, or call Museum Director, Michael Lally at 978.452.7641.