In Spirit of Independence, Sheryl Oring asks: “What does independence mean to you?” Visitors share their thoughts while she types them verbatim on a vintage typewriter, creating carbon copies - one for the participant, one for the exhibition and her archive. Spirit of Independence is being presented in multiple locations around the United States in in 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and founding of the country. Together with presenting organizations including Crystal Bridges Musuem of American Art, Oring is also working with K-12 teachers to integrate this project into classrooms.

Spirit of Independence was first presented 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 was one of two participatory art projects developed by Oring that invited the public to reflect on the values, rights, and responsibilities that shape civic life. Timed to coincide with U.S. national holidays - Independence Day and Labor Day - these works create space for dialogue about freedom and work.

Oring was invited to perform at PORCH Fest by co-commissioners Peter B. MacKeith and Susan Chin and curator Cynthia Post Hunt of The Momentary and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Together with What We Work For, presented at PORCH Fest over Labor Day, the projects investigate what we inherit, what we contribute, and what we strive for through the intimate act of sitting down with the artist on the PORCH, speaking one’s truth, and having it set into words, one keystroke at a time.

More recently, Spirit of Independence was presented at McColl Center in Charlotte, NC, and Oring will perform at the College Art Association conference in Chicago in February 2026.