Young artists sought for human rights project

GOSHEN – Orange County 11th and 12th grade high school students are once again working on art and literary pieces that will be hung in exhibition in this year’s “An Artist’s Response to Human Rights” staged in galleries on the SUNY Orange campuses in Middletown and Newburgh.

This annual exhibit is held in recognition of International Human Rights Day in December.

Students will be expressing themselves artistically on the importance of human rights in today’s world by depicting topics related to the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms. It was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations Dec. 10, 1948.

The exhibit can be viewed from Dec. 6 through 18 at the Orange Hall Gallery, SUNY Orange, Middletown campus, and at the Mindy Ross Gallery, Kaplan Hall, SUNY Orange, Newburgh campus. Exhibit openings and a reception for all exhibiting artists will be held Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. in Middletown and Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. in Newburgh.

The public is invited to see the artwork and meet the artists.

“When you see this artwork exhibited all in one space, it becomes a very powerful commentary on how our young people see the world and how they hope to change it,” said Dawn Ansbro, executive director of the Orange County Arts Council.

For more information about the exhibit or the Human Rights Commission, visit the commission’s pages on the Orange County Government web site at www.orangecountygov.com or call 615-3680.