Exploration & Interactive Workshop
Join us for a Conversation and Program that is more than a history lesson—it is a community celebration of our democracy.
This interactive event brings people together to honor the legacy of the Declaration of Independence—not just a historic document, but a living ideology that shapes our lives today.
Core Themes—What to Expect
The Path to Independence
We’ll review the actual words of this document and explore the specific events and motivations that led the colonists to seek a formal separation from Great Britain.
We’ll consider the key concepts within the Declaration of Independence, including the assertion of unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We’ll look at how the Declaration’s promises served as the ideological blueprint for the legal protections later enforced by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Living Legacy—How it Applies to Our Lives Today
Interactive Exploration and Conversation—Your Voice Matters
We’ll have an open conversation shaped by those who participate. This is an opportunity to build community and discuss the values at the heart of our nation.
We’ll explore how the Declaration functions as a living document.
We will discuss how its words resonate in modern life and how its principles continue to shape the United States.
How and where does it influence our lives today, and why is it important as we look back over 250 years.
Be a Part of a Reflective Workshop
An interactive activities session focused on participation (we’ll get creative)—together, we will explore how we can embody these historical freedoms and continue the legacy of this "great experiment" in democracy.
This is also an opportunity to honor the leaders, advocates, veterans, and everyday citizens who have worked to protect and uphold these democratic ideals throughout our history.
Help shape this celebration and community conversation about our shared democratic ideals.
Event Details
Programming by Illinois Humanities
Part of their Community Conversations
Date: Saturday, May 2
FREE and open to the public
Time: Noon – 1:30 pm
Bring your own lunch - standard beverages provided
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program with funding and support from the following partners and our generous donors:
