Appalachian State Department Chair Sheryl Oring is the creator of a new project that marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by asking people to consider what independence means to them. Her interactive performance Spirit of Independence was first presented last summer in Venice, Italy, as part of PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity, the official U.S. Pavilion exhibition for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.
This week, Oring is presenting the work in Chicago at the College Art Association's annual conference. At her mobile office, Oring asks visitors: “What does independence mean to you?” People share their thoughts while she types them verbatim on a vintage typewriter, creating carbon copies - one for the participant, one for her archive. Spirit of Independence is being presented in multiple locations around the United State in 2026 for the nation's semiquincentennial.
The next stop after Chicago will be in March at Crystal Bridges Musuem of American Art in Bentonville, Ark., where Oring's artwork and performances are being featured as part of the exhibition America 250: Common Threads. In North Carolina, Spirit of Independence was presented in November at McColl Center in Charlotte.
Oring, whose work has been supported by organizations ranging from Creative Capital Foundation to the North Carolina Arts Council, is Chair of App State's Department of Applied Design. She is the editor of the book Activating Democracy: The 'I Wish to Say' Project (Intellect Books, 2016) and her work is the subject of a forthcoming monograph Secretary to the People: Civic Engagement Through the Art of Sheryl Oring (edited by Corey Dzenko and forthcoming from Intellect Books in 2027).
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Oring Spirit of Independence
Oring Spirit of Independence