FARGO, N.D. (November 10, 2017) – The North Dakota Human Rights Arts Festival opens Monday, November 13 at the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. Individuals may view the work in the exhibition Monday through Saturday, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. The exhibition will be at the Spirit Room through Friday, January 5, 2018. Daily viewings are free and open to the public.

An Artist Reception and Festival Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 18 from 5 – 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 for that event, which will include artist talks with print maker Anna Johnson, pencil and ink artist Jack Sadat, and oil painter Joe Larson. A performance by Native American Flute Player Darren Thompson will also take place that evening. The event will be catered by the Himalayan Yak.

During the reception, an Awards Ceremony for the North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival will take place. The art exhibition Jury will announce the winners and provide awards to the artist. Additionally, the “Best of Show” award, chosen by attendees at both the film and art festivals, will be announced. The “Best of Show” winners from the film and arts festivals will receive awards created specifically for the event by Moorhead, Minnesota based metalworker and painter, Karman Rheault.

The exhibition will display the work of over 20 artists that encompass both 2D and 3D mediums. All works relate to the discussion of human rights or social justice.

Artist who have work displayed at the festival include: photographer Kenneth Anderson’s, “Hecatomb”; graphic designer Riza Aziz’s, “Educating & Empowering Economically Challenged Women in India”; wet-plate photographer Shane Balkowitsch’s, “Death by Oil”; pencil artist Mya Buffalo’s, “Stand Up”; photographer Gaurav Datta’s series, “The Silence”; photographer Justin Deegan’s, “Injustice Anywhere Threatens Justice Everywhere”; painter Ellen Jean Diederich’s, “Board Meeting”; mixed-media artist Laura Forgie’s, “National Pornographic #2”; acrylic artist Glendon Henry’s, “Space Invaders 1863”; photographer Emily Herbranson’s, “In Line”; screenprint artist Madeline Hyde’s, “We All Live in Bhopal”; print maker Anna Johnson’s, “I Walk with Two Spirits II”; oil painter Joesph Larson’s, “Infierno (Hell)”; acrylic artist Kaliee Love’s, “Peace Unity Equality”; digital artist Brett Lysens’s, “Eight Gifts for 2016”; wood worker Donald Paul’s, “A Mother’s Fortitude”; multi-disciplinary artist Karen Perry-Anderson’s, “Attested Series”; photographer Birgit Pruess’, “Never Again”; pencil and ink artist Jack Sadat’s, “Pulse”; photographer Scott Seiler’s, “Checkpoint Chew”; collage artist Megan Westphal’s, “Metamorphosis”; and photographer Autumn Winter’s, “Summer Home”.

The North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival will take place Nov. 13 – 18, 2017, in Fargo, North Dakota. The art exhibition will open on Monday, Nov. 13, at the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo. The exhibition will be available for viewing through Jan. 5, 2018.

22 films from 8 countries will screen at the historic downtown theater in Fargo, North Dakota Wednesday, November 15 to Friday, November 17. The full schedule can be viewed online. Doors open at 6:30, and screenings begin at 7 p.m. each evening. Panel discussions take place nightly after the film screenings. The festival will close on Saturday, November 18 with an Art Reception and Festival Awards Ceremony from 5 – 7 p.m. at Spirit Room.

Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney has proclaimed Monday, November 13 through Saturday, November 18, 2017, Human Rights Week for the City Fargo. Mayor Mahoney encourages the community to observe the week by reading and studying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by participating in events that encourage diversity of thought and discussion.

The mission of the North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival is to educate, engage and facilitate discussion around local and worldwide human rights topics through the work of filmmakers and artists. 2017 is the inaugural year for both the film and art festivals. The festival was founded and is managed by the non-profit The Human Family, an organization dedicated to promoting human rights and social justice through film and art. Support for the festival comes from: the Fargo Human Relations Commission; the Fargo Native American Commission; African Soul, American Heart; Park Co. Realtors; Bell Bank; Himalayan Yak; Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Kensie Wallner Photography; iPitch.tv; Moorhead Massage and Wellness; and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.

For more information about the North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival, visit the Human Family website, www.human-family.org.

Click here for a PDF version of this press release.

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