Local students' art show celebrates human rights

SANDPOINT — As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, inspired artwork by local students will again be on display for the community to enjoy.

"Monday, (Jan. 15), has been designated Idaho Human Rights Day by the state of Idaho as away to embrace diversity and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his actions and service to civil rights for all," said Lynn Bridges, president of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, in a statement. 

For 13 years, the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force and Pend Oreille Arts Council have partnered in the student art event to bring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the attention of students in the area.

Formulated by Eleanor Roosevelt as she was the chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission at the time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on Dec. 10, 1948. The document consists of 30 articles meant to guarantee the rights of all people.

Students from Sandpoint High School and Sandpoint Middle School were instructed to choose an article and represent it artistically.

While previously held at the POAC gallery, the students' art will be displayed at SHS this year.

"We are excited to have a new venue," Bridges said in an email to the Daily Bee. "We are hoping that by having the event at SHS, more students will have access to the showing. There will also be a small group of student musicians from the conservatory who will be on hand for the opening."

And, of course, the public is invited to the event, she said. After the opening, the public is invited to view the display during school hours, but must check in at the main office before going to the library.

The opening is from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the SHS library. The artwork will remain on display until Feb. 2. All school visitors are asked to please check in at the school office prior to going to the library.

Additional events in the region include:

Bonners Ferry — The Boundary County Human rights Task Force is celebrating the Dream through Music, art and film at the Pearl Theater at 3 p.m. Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.

Coeur d'Alene — The Human Rights Education Institute will have a full day of activities including special movies presented by Local AmeriCorps, and a gallery exhibit titled, “Human Rights Heroes: Past and Present,” on Monday. Information: hrei.org/newsandevents/upcoming-events.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.