The final week of the 2017 North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival exhibition begins tomorrow at the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo. Daily viewings are free and open to the public. The exhibition displays 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. The exhibition will be removed from the Spirit Room on Friday, January 5.

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 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.