Only one city in each state is chosen as host, and thanks to Appalachian Gallery, Morgantown is West Virginia's advocate. The gallery will be displaying a painting that was inspired by Ohio until the end of 2006. This painting is part of a nation-wide exhibit called The Nomadic Project. This project has successfully connected 36 states through art, and will complete all fifty by the end of December.

Laurie Nugent and Penelyn Peterson, of Appalachian Gallery, brought The Nomadic Project to Morgantown by meeting with creators, Kristin Abraham and Alfonso Llamas. Abraham is an artist, while Llamas is a musician, and each are creating from the road. They spend a week in each state, and Abraham paints her response on a 24 x 30" canvas. That painting is then brought to a bordering state to be displayed while the remaining states are traveled. "The concept is to blur borders by pulling inspiration from one state, and leaving it with the next." Llamas explains.

A painting, titled "The Understanding Staircase", was inspired by Ohio, and is displayed for sale at Appalachian Gallery in Morgantown, West Virginia. The West Virginia-inspired painting is then placed with a gallery in Pennsylvania. When The Nomadic Project returns from Hawaii in mid-December, all fifty states will be displaying a painting from the series. This body of work will then become part of a traveling exhibit in November of 2007. 

The Nomadic Project was created as a way to use art in inspiring and educating individuals about the land that we call America. To accomplish this, two artists sold all of their belongings to become true "nomads." They left Florida eleven months ago to experience and respond to each of the fifty states. Abraham and Llamas have funded the project entirely through the sale of their artwork and personal savings.

Visit Appalachian Gallery to view "The Understanding Staircase", or go to www.TheNomadicProject.com to find which city near you is participating in The Nomadic Project. Communities are encouraged to participate, by emailing The Nomadic Project at TheNomadicProject@gmail.com.  Each email will become part of the final exhibit. Paintings can be purchased by contacting Abraham(abrahamart@gmail.com), or directly through participating galleries. The owner will receive an engraved nameplate to be displayed with their piece, as well as a signed print to display as their painting tours the U.S.

To learn more about The Nomadic Project, log on to www.TheNomadicProject.com and view images from each state. Also, keep an eye out for the four dimensional exhibit, showcasing the complete series of paintings, music and journal entries. This show is planned to begin in November of 2007 and travel in the path of The Nomadic Project. For information regarding Appalachian Gallery visit www.wvcraft.com., or call Laurie or Penelyn at 304.296.0163.