Spirit of Independence Exhibition

Photographs and documentation from Spirit of Independence are on view at Rosewood Arts Center, presented as part of Kettering’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The project invited community members to explore ideas of expression, independence, and belonging.

Over several days in July, artist Sheryl Oring engaged with dozens of participants in Kettering, asking, “What does independence mean to you?” These responses, along with additional programs with designer Réka Juhász and the Ohio Writing Project, transformed community reflections into hand-printed posters, as well as billboards displayed throughout the Dayton area in August and September. The exhibition features posters, designs, photographs and documentation from the project.

The exhibition is currently on view, with a special spotlight during the Rosewood Holiday Arts Festival on Saturday, December 5, between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spirit of Independence was presented by Rosewood Arts Center and the City of Kettering, with major support from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and the America 250-Ohio Commission, and additional support from Lamar Advertising and the Dayton Metro Library.