The January art exhibit 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 featured five artists whose work centered on the theme of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Held at the historic Fraser Mansion as part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, the pop-up exhibit included a large portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. alongside abstracts, assemblage art, and wax on glass pieces.
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 hosted by the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office. The other featured artists—Roslyn Cambridge, Carolyn Goodridge, Sante Johnson, and J. Thomas Wells—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. Art speaks where words can't fully communicate the same concepts, Haq stated, noting that art brings people of all different beliefs and cultures together to appreciate something beautiful. This intersection of creative expression and social advocacy represents a critical development in how human rights messages are disseminated to broader audiences.
Free educational materials on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights were available to attendees, courtesy of Youth for Human Rights International. These resources, which aim to inform, assist and unite individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society, are also available free at https://www.youthforhumanrights.org. Additional information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/YHRDC.
The event's importance extends beyond the local art scene, demonstrating how cultural institutions and human rights organizations are increasingly collaborating to advance social justice education. Art Walk Dupont, a recurring cultural experience that brings free art exhibits to galleries, embassies, and cultural centers throughout the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, provides an established platform for such partnerships. United for Human Rights, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at various levels, and its sister organization Youth for Human Rights International, founded in 2001 to teach young people about human rights, represent significant players in this growing movement.
This convergence of artistic expression and human rights education matters because it represents an innovative approach to advocacy that transcends traditional educational methods. By embedding human rights themes within accessible cultural experiences like art walks, organizations can reach diverse audiences who might not otherwise engage with these critical issues. The recognition of artists like Patrick S. Smith for their contributions to this intersection signals a validation of art's role in social change and may encourage more artists to incorporate human rights themes into their work. For the general public, such events provide both aesthetic enjoyment and educational opportunities, potentially increasing awareness and understanding of fundamental human rights principles that affect every individual's life.
