The January Art Walk Dupont Circle featured a pop-up exhibit at the historic Fraser Mansion co-hosted by the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, United for Human Rights, Youth for Human Rights International's Washington, DC chapter, and Art Impact International. At the beginning of the show, native Washingtonian Patrick S. Smith was awarded Artist of the Year 2025 by Youth for Human Rights International, Washington, DC, for his outstanding participation and artistic excellence at Art Walk Dupont Circle events associated with the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.
The exhibit featured five artists—Roslyn Cambridge, Carolyn Goodridge, Sante Johnson, Patrick Smith, and J. Thomas Wells—who presented works centered on the theme of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Their contributions included portraits of famous human rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., abstract pieces, assemblage art, and wax on glass creations. The artists were present to discuss their work and the human and civil rights themes that inspired them.
Mr. Azhar Haq, Executive Director of Youth for Human Rights International's DC chapter, emphasized the significance of art in human rights advocacy during the event. He stated, "Art speaks where words can't fully communicate the same concepts. Art brings people of all different beliefs and cultures together to appreciate something beautiful." This perspective underscores the exhibit's importance in fostering dialogue and awareness around human rights issues through creative expression.
In addition to the artwork, free educational materials on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights were available to attendees, courtesy of Youth for Human Rights International. The organization's mission is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist, and unite individuals, educators, organizations, and governmental bodies in disseminating and adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society. These materials are also available free at www.youthforhumanrights.org, with more information accessible via https://www.facebook.com/YHRDC.
The event was part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, a recurring cultural experience that brings free art exhibits to galleries, embassies, and cultural centers throughout the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. This initiative not only enriches the local arts scene but also serves as a platform for raising awareness about critical global issues like human rights.
United for Human Rights, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at various levels, collaborated on the exhibit. Its sister organization, Youth for Human Rights International, founded in 2001, focuses on teaching young people about human rights to foster advocates for tolerance and peace. The award to Patrick S. Smith and the exhibit's focus highlight the ongoing efforts to integrate art into human rights education, demonstrating how cultural events can bridge communities and promote social change. This matters because it showcases the power of art as a tool for advocacy, potentially inspiring broader public engagement with human rights principles and encouraging similar initiatives worldwide.
