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 concluded with native Washingtonian Patrick S. Smith being named Artist of the Year 2025 by Youth for Human Rights International, Washington, DC. 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, held at the historic Fraser Mansion, was part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, where visitors walk between numerous galleries and organizations featuring art. This show focused on the theme of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and featured a large portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. Five artists—Roslyn Cambridge, Carolyn Goodridge, Sante Johnson, Patrick Smith, and J. Thomas Wells—displayed works including portraits of famous human rights activists, abstracts, assemblage art, and wax on glass. The artists were on site 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, 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 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) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 to teach young people around the world about human rights, specifically the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so they become advocates for tolerance and peace.
