• Aprill Brandon •
• Originally published September 30, 2008 at 11:49 p.m., updated September 30, 2008 at 11:49 p.m.

During such a contentious election season, it’s easy for the voice of the average person to get drowned out.

But if given the chance, what would you say to the future President of the United States? That’s what performance artist Sheryl Oring wants to know and the basis of her project “I Wish To Say.”

Armed with her 1950s vintage typewriter and dressed in matching vintage secretarial attire, Oring travels the country and sets up her portable office in public areas. From parks to town squares, Oring invites passersby to dictate a letter to the future President of the United States, which she will then send to the White House after the inauguration in January.

On Thursday, Victorians will get their chance to dictate their own letters. Oring will be in town as a juror for the Victoria College “Translations: Art Inspired by the Written Word” exhibit and will put on a performance of “I Wish To Say” at the opening, art instructor Debra Chronister said.

“Her work is inspiring. It’s all about real people and their very real thoughts,” she added. “And her work is political, yet non-partisan, which is what makes it stand out and what makes it so relevant.”

Oring had lived in Berlin for six years when she returned to the U.S. in the fall of 2003. Disappointed with the media’s lack of coverage of what ordinary people were saying about the upcoming 2004 election, Oring came up with the “I Wish To Say” project to find out what ordinary people wanted to say to the nation’s leader.

“The ones that really get me are the ones that are really emotional and personal. I had a woman in Wichita start her letter ‘Please bring my soldier home’ and then she started crying,” Oring said. “She needed a few minutes to compose herself. In a way, I feel honored that people feel comfortable enough to tell me those things.”

Oring continued her project in 2006, dictating birthday cards to the president and has been traveling across the country again in 2008 for this latest installment of the project.

“I never really thought it would become this big. It started out more in a grassroots way but the response was so enthusiastic, in 2006, we received grant money to continue it,” Oring said. “And we could potentially continue to do this every election year. It’s a great way to get at what people are thinking.”

And just what would Oring say to the President of the United States if given the chance?

“Please listen to what the ordinary people have to say and base your policies off that consideration,” she said. “And honor our First Amendment rights.”

For more information on Sheryl Oring, go to www.iwishtosay.org.

• Letters to the future President of the United States from artist Sheryl Oring’s ongoing project “I Wish To Say.”

  March 31, 2008

  To Whom It May Concern,

  People are going to love to hate you and hate to love ...

• SHOW ALL »

Letters to the future President of the United States from artist Sheryl Oring’s ongoing project “I Wish To Say.”

March 31, 2008

To Whom It May Concern,

People are going to love to hate you and hate to love you, but good luck and go U.S.A.

Sincerely,

Kelcey Wohlgemuth, Maryland

March 31, 2008

Dear Madame President,

Thanks for making women’s suffrage worth it. If this is Obama, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Nazadzay, Maryland

April 18, 2008

I wish to say that I do not envy the job that you are inheriting. This has been eight years of one hellacious decision after another. Our country is in a terrible state with so many deferred problems and promises. You have a very hard job. I admire your willingness to serve and hope you will raise our dedication and commitment collectively from here. Thank you,

Craig Wolfson, Oakland

April 7, 2008

Dear President,

You’ve got a pretty easy act to follow.

Jon Turpin, Miami University

Feb. 21, 2008

To the Future President,

I think for the first time in my life, I’m excited about who will be in the White House. I never thought I’d live long enough to see a viable choice between a woman and a candidate of color. Whoever you are, there’s an opportunity for change - and we desperately need it. I wish you all the best.

Don’t blow it. Sincerely,

Jo Yarrington, Dallas

Feb. 22, 2008

To President Barack Obama,

While it is important that we keep a focus on repairing our reputation with our neighbors around the world, it is also extremely important that we redirect our focus within our own country. As someone with $100,000 in student loan debt, a tenuous job and tenuous healthcare, I am a member of the middle class that needs your attention. Do not forget us. Sincerely,

Patricia Flores, Oakland

The opening reception for “Translations: Art Inspired by the Written Word” with performance artist Sheryl Oring will be from 4-6 p.m. Thursday in the Victoria College Fine Arts Auditorium Gallery. Oring will also give a lecture at 8 p.m. on censorship and the arts.

The reception and lecture are free and open to the public.

The “Translations: Art Inspired by the Written Word” will feature both local and out-of-town artists and their art that has been inspired by something the artist has read. The show is open to the public 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, Oct. 3-31 at The Victoria College Fine Arts Auditorium. For more information, call 361-582-2573.

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