When the Boston chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) had to chose someone to award as a human rights hero there was simply no competition. The only logical choice was the man who personifies "Freedom of Expression" — and that's "Sidewalk Sam."
 | | "Sidewalk Sam," accepting his award as a Human Rights Hero, from the Boston chapter of Youth for Human Rights International. |
"Sam," whose real name is Robert Guillemin, is not only a fine artist in his own right, but he has taken it on himself to enrich the lives of fellow Bostonians through "Art Street Inc.," a non-profit organization that use art as a catalyst to bring people together in support of community issues.
As Guillemin describes it on his website, www.sidewalksam.com: "I chose to bring art to the street and into daily life. I love crouching on the sidewalk, kneeling at the feet of people and having art look up to us for a change. I want art to serve people as a natural part of everyday life. I think art should bring people closer to each other and inspire people to a better vision of society."
His web site goes on to describe his unique views and activities in these terms:
"Using the streets as a canvas, Sidewalk Sam has rallied people around solutions to social problems, addressing issues like poverty, diversity, children and family and the environment. Now in a wheelchair, Sidewalk Sam still thinks big. He organizes large events where lots of people come together and create big artworks to show their common spirit. 'I love to get people involved with each other', he says. 'Art can bring society together.' He adds, 'Everything in modern life is so depersonalized — I'm just trying to personalize it a little.'"
And Boston is a better place for his doing just that.
Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is an independent non-profit corporation headquartered in Los Angeles, with the purpose to educate young people in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace. Participating chapters, located all over the world, hold events and distribute instructional tools to raise human rights awareness. The Boston chapter is sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Boston.
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