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 awarded native Washingtonian Patrick S. Smith the Youth for Human Rights International DC Artist of the Year 2025. The award recognized his outstanding participation and artistic excellence at Art Walk Dupont Circle events held at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.
The pop-up exhibit, part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, took place at the historic Fraser Mansion and featured five artists: Roslyn Cambridge, Carolyn Goodridge, Sante Johnson, Patrick Smith, and J. Thomas Wells. The show centered on the theme of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with artworks including a large portrait of Martin Luther King Jr., abstracts, assemblage art, and wax on glass. Artists were on site to discuss the human and civil rights themes that inspired their work.
Mr. Azhar Haq, Executive Director of Youth for Human Rights International's DC chapter, emphasized the importance of art in human rights advocacy, stating, '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.'
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. These materials are also available free at www.youthforhumanrights.org. More information is available at the organization's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YHRDC.
Art Walk Dupont is a recurring cultural experience that brings free art exhibits to galleries, embassies, and cultural centers throughout the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. United for Human Rights (UHR) is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at local, regional, national and international levels. Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), founded in 2001, is a global movement that teaches young people about human rights to promote tolerance and peace.
