Art for Darfur accepting artist submissions for April fundraising event

by Laura Seewoester

The Darfur conflict is now at the front of everyone's mind again after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant Wendesday for Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir. While most people tend to think twice about the conflict only when another top news story about it comes out, a group from Southern Methodist University continues their aim to raise money for the cause with their annual Art for Darfur event. Art for Darfur was started in 2007 by a group of activists from SMU to benefit the Genocide Intervention Network's civilian protection program in Darfur, Sudan.

Art for Darfur is currently seeking submissions from artists for live and silent auctions at their event next month. Submissions must be received by April 4, any medium will be accepted, the works must be no larger than 8 feet by 5 feet, and they are asking artists to keep their work PG-13 so kids may enjoy the event as well. Anyone interested submitting a work should contact Art for Darfur through their donation page.

The organization is also seeking musicians, performance artists and volunteers for their event (including an artist to paint as a spoken word artist performs). All proceeds from Art for Darfur will go to Amnesty International’s programs for Darfur. Anyone interested in volunteering or planning the event should contact the organization by emailing them at artfordarfurdallas@gmail.com or by calling Kristin Schutz at 763-229-8338.