A family takes in the exhibit.

Installing the exhibit were (from left): Jim Remsen and Rita Fitzgerald of DAC's Advocacy Committee, artist Debra Kapnek, who painted the two featured canvases in the exhibit; and DAC member Muhdy Bahradin, who also took part in our "citizen lobbying" of legislative aides.

Muhdy Bahradin mounts the panels of poetry by Emtithal Mahmoud.

For three weeks, the statehouse rotunda in Harrisburg was the majestic setting for a multimedia exhibit focusing on the children of Darfur. DAC's Advocacy Committee installed the special exhibit on Sept. 17, just as the state legislature returned to Harrisburg and resumed its deliberation on Sudan divestment legislation. The Advocacy Committee, which spent the summer lobbying for the quick action on the bill, felt the exhibit would be a good way to keep the issue in the public eye - and literally in front of the lawmakers.

The exhibit featured a collection of eyewitness drawings done by children in the camps that depict the atrocities they survived. In addition, Emtithal Mahmoud's impassioned poetry about the crisis was displayed on panels and on Emi's portrait, painted by DAC friend Debra Kapnek. Finally, Debra's masterful "Child of Darfur" painting towered over the viewer, a face of anguished innocence.

DAC thanks Debra Kapnek, Judy Herman, and the Silicon Gallery Fine Art Prints for their generosity in making the exhibit possible. Also, we thank DAC volunteer Susan Martel, who conceived and launched a "One Day, One Call" campaign encouraging local congregations to call state legislators on behalf of Sudan divestment.