In June 2026, I Am We Are will gather artists, collectors, partners, and community members across two continents for I Am Free — our 8th Annual Art Auction & Cultural Exhibition, presented in partnership with Denzil’s & Jo Gallery (Johannesburg). Honoring the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, this year’s auction celebrates the power of young people, artists, and communities to imagine freedom and move us closer to it.
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Washington, DC, USA
Preview Reception: June 11th
Online Auction
Auction Opens for Viewing: June 8th
Bidding Opens: June 11th at 8:00 AM EST
Bidding Closes: June 14th at 11:59 PM EST
Johannesburg, South Africa
Collector Reception: June 19th
Public Exhibition: June 20th–July 11th
On June 16, 1976, thousands of Black students in Soweto, South Africa rose up to protest an unjust education system under apartheid. What began as a student-led protest against the forced use of Afrikaans as a language of instruction became one of the defining moments in South Africa’s liberation struggle, reminding the world that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow — they are often the moral leaders of the present.
In 2026, we mark 50 years since that uprising. For IAWA, this commemoration is deeply connected to our mission: we believe young people deserve education that affirms them, communities that support them, opportunities that prepare them, and spaces where their voices, talents, and dreams are taken seriously.
This auction is designed as a full-circle model of impact. Through a curated exhibition process, I Am Free will feature both emerging and established South African artists, creating access for new voices while expanding the reach of artists already shaping the cultural landscape. Participating artists will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their work, ensuring their creativity is celebrated and meaningfully compensated.
The remaining proceeds will support IAWA’s youth leadership and work readiness programs, which help young people build the confidence, skills, exposure, and support systems needed to transition into higher education, employment, and adulthood. For ten years, IAWA has invested in youth as they complete school, pursue higher education and employment, and grow into leaders of their own lives. Learn more about this work in our 10-Year Impact Report.
