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, D.C. chapter, and Art Impact International featured five artists whose work centered on the United Nations 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 exhibition showcased portraits of human rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., abstract pieces, assemblage art, and wax on glass works.
Native Washingtonian Patrick S. Smith was awarded Artist of the Year 2025 by Youth for Human Rights International, Washington, D.C., for his outstanding participation and artistic excellence at Art Walk Dupont Circle events. The artists—Roslyn Cambridge, Carolyn Goodridge, Sante Johnson, Patrick Smith, 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 D.C. chapter, emphasized art's unique capacity for human rights advocacy. 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.
Free educational materials on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights were distributed to attendees, courtesy of Youth for Human Rights International. These resources aim to inform, assist, and unite individuals, educators, organizations, and governmental bodies in disseminating and adopting the Universal Declaration at every societal level. Additional information about these materials is available at https://www.youthforhumanrights.org.
Art Walk Dupont represents a recurring cultural experience that brings free art exhibits to galleries, embassies, and cultural centers throughout the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. The event demonstrates how artistic expression can serve as a vehicle for social education and community engagement around fundamental rights issues.
United for Human Rights, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at various societal levels, collaborated on the exhibition. Its sister organization, Youth for Human Rights International, founded in 2001, teaches young people worldwide about human rights to cultivate advocates for tolerance and peace. This exhibition illustrates how visual art can complement traditional educational approaches to human rights awareness.
