December 10, 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of a momentous statement to the world by the General Assembly of the United Nations: the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

One member of the drafting committee of the UN Commission on Human Rights was Hernán Santa Cruz of Chile who wrote, “I perceived clearly that I was participating in a truly significant historic event in which a consensus had been reached as to the supreme value of the human person, a value that did not originate in the decision of a worldly power, but rather in the fact of existing — which gave rise to the inalienable right to live free from want and oppression and to fully develop one’s personality.” The Declaration was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms.

Now in its seventh year of celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, through its annual art show, the Orange County Human Rights Commission (OCHRC) presents An Artist’s Response to Human Rights.

This exhibit offers juniors and seniors in Orange County high schools the opportunity of expressing their feelings about the importance of human rights in today’s world by depicting artworks and writing poems or essays about topics related to the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Students participating in this year’s show represent the following schools: Minisink Valley High School, Warwick Valley High School, Washingtonville High School, Storm King School, Newburgh Free Academy, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Pine Bush High School, Cornwall Central High School, and James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls.

OCHRC Chairperson Fred Cook states, “This yearly exhibit again reflects the understanding and commitment of many of our Orange County high school students and teachers to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Orange County Human Rights Commission takes much pleasure in the collaborative efforts of the Commission with SUNY Orange and the Orange County Arts Council for providing a platform for students to enhance their appreciation of human rights.”

The exhibit has two venues at which visual and literary artworks can be viewed, Orange Hall Gallery, SUNY Orange Middletown campus and the Mindy Ross Gallery, SUNY Orange Newburgh campus. Receptions at which artists are recognized for their efforts and presented with certificates include Monday, December 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mindy Ross Gallery and Foyer. The exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public.

Gallery hours in Orange Hall Gallery are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The Mindy Ross Gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday. The exhibits are on view through December 14, 2018.

Orange Hall is located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues, (GPS: 24 Grandview Ave. –free parking in lot), Middletown. The Mindy Ross Gallery is situated at the eastern end of the first floor of Kaplan Hall which is located at the corner of Grand and First Streets, where free, secure parking is available in the garage at (GPS) 73 First Street, Newburgh.