Venus & Victory Exhibition

In Highways Less Traveled, Nick Neumann captures an intimate portrait of a changing America, mapped out across the landscape of a five month van journey during the winter of 2020. Each pin on the accompanying map marks a place where travelers Nick and Thaís slept. Together, the photos and map tell the story of an adventure without a fixed plan, tracing a route led by curiosity, openness, and the search for common ground. This journey in a 2003 Dodge Caravan—its back seats replaced by a simple plywood bed—was an effort to get off the screen and onto the road, discovering America in its rawest form. From dispersed camping on public lands to making friends in remote towns, Nick’s photography offers a look at a diverse nation shaped by its people, landscapes, and stories that lie off the beaten path. As an artist born and raised in downtown San Francisco, inspired by the adventures of Tintin, Kerouac, and Bourdain, Nick’s work is driven by a desire to push beyond stereotypes and fear. Highways Less Traveled captures moments of vulnerability and wonder—offering a fresh perspective on van life, the open road, and the spirit of exploration. This exhibit invites viewers to reflect on what it means to hit the road, to confront the unknown, and to find connection across America’s forgotten towns and wild landscapes.