For release: Aug. 27, 2012
For press information, contact Kimberly Rogers (901) 678-4164

Artist Sheryl Oring brought her unique style of performance art to the University of Memphis, and now she will share it with the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 3, 2012. Her U of M project, Alma Mater: University of Memphis, was a collaborative effort between her and U of M alum Dhanraj Emanuel.

The closing reception for Alma Mater will be Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but it will remain on display through Sept. 15. The reception will be in the lobby of the Communication and Fine Arts Building. Alma Mater was made possible through the Student Activity Fee Fund.

Sheryl Oring is known in the artistic community for her special brand of performances, which provide an outlet for passersby as she asks a predetermined question and then types the responses. Oring, decked out in vintage 1960s secretarial garb, provides an ear to those who have comments or questions about social issues or other topics of importance.

Alma Mater provides a visual representation of the question “What do you think the University could be?” The question was posed to students and passers-by during a three-day performance. The exhibition consists of a multimedia art installation of typed, signed cards, photographic portraits of students (past and present) and an interpretive video with the voices of U of M students and the sound of manual typewriters.

Also included in the closing reception are The Daily Helmsman: Voice of the Students and Caseworks: Poem and Object by Jay Etkin. The Helmsman exhibitionfeatures a narrated, still image video that captures 80 years of students’ viewpoints of current events, including demonstrations for racial equality and a variety of on campus and community happenings. Caseworks is a contemporary exhibition space in the lobby just outside the Museum’s main space for featured artists.

AMUM hosts innovative temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and culture, as well as permanent collections. An important component of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the museum features exhibitions by Master of Fine Arts candidates and the annual Juried Student Exhibition.

The Daily Helmsman: Voice of the Students and Alma Mater will be on display through Sept. 15, 2012. Go to memphis.edu/amum for more exhibition information. For more information about AMUM, call 678-2224 or email artmuseum@memphis.edu.

The Art Museum is open to the public Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. AMUM is closed University holidays and between temporary exhibitions. Admission is free.