People have different means of expressing their views and beliefs. Artists use their talents in painting, sculpting and photography to express in a physical means their internal feelings, ideals and emotions. Many use this expression to convey messages about political and cultural affairs; this is the case on Saturday, when artists will auction off their art to raise awareness about the situation in Darfur.

Artists for Human Rights, an organization conisisting of artists, students, film makers, academics and performance artists looking to use the arts to promote global human rights, is conducting a silent auction in the Meadows School of the Arts Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

The auction is part of the greater “Tents of Hope Project,” which is a one-year project in which local communities create tents that are both unique works of art and ongoing focal points within communities for learning about, assisting and establishing relationships with the people of Sudan.

According to Tiana Lightfoot, recent SMU graduate and co-organizer for the event, “Art for Darfur is a collective of students and non-profit organizations working to bring together the citizens of Dallas and the people of Darfur through community art.”

The art being auctioned off is the work of SMU students and local Dallas artists, as well as Ugandan artist Fred Mutebi.

In addition to the auction, there will be live music, hors d’ oeuvres, and academic speakers including Human Rights Education board member Pat Davis, SMU Chaplain Will Finnin, as well as poet Nnamdi Orakpo. Lightfoot hopes that students will attend the event and be inspired by what they see.

“I hope that students are empowered by the event, and that they leave knowing that they really can make a positive difference,” Lightfoot said.

In addition to promoting awareness of the crisis in Darfur, Lightfoot says the proceeds of the event and the auction will be donated to the International Rescue Committee’s humanitarian aid work in Darfur.

“Our goal for the event is to raise funds for the desperately needed clean-water wells and medical supplies in refugee camps of Darfur, Sudan and Eastern Chad,” Lightfoot said.

This is the second year the event is being held. Last year, the event was able to raise more than $2,000. Lightfoot feels that this year could be even more productive as there will be more art up for auction, as well as much more community awareness. She hopes for a larger turnout and a doubling of the funds raised.