(Minghui.org) The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition is in Atlanta again, available for public view at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center during March 7 and March 31. Over 60 artworks are being showcased this time.
Many local leaders attended the opening ceremony on March 9, including congressional staff member Debra Poirot with the office of U.S. Representative Rob Woodall, Communication Director at the Asian Pacific American Council of Georgia Varinee Sangmalee, and former Atlanta Chinese School principal Zhao Zengyi.
Opening Ceremony: (left to right) Professor Frank Xie at University of South Carolina, husband of Ms. Varinee Sangmalee, Ms. Debra Poirot, Ms. Varinee Sangmalee, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao Zengyi, Ms. Li Xiaoyi, president of event sponsor Falun Dafa Association of Atlanta.
Ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony
Attendees Impressed by the Artwork
Representative Rob Woodall asked Ms. Poirot to attend the event on his behalf and wished the art exhibition a great success. Representative Woodall also said he would view the artwork in person once he returned to Atlanta.
Ms. Poirot knew about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. She said she could feel the power of faith from the paintings. She was very touched by the contents. She thanked the practitioners for holding such an event to offer learning opportunities to people.
Ms. Varinee Sangmalee is also founder and President of Thai Association World Center USA (TAWC USA). She enjoyed the art and took many photos at the exhibition.
She said that through these paintings, she could feel the perseverance of practitioners to uphold their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Mr. Zhao Zengyi is a well-known Chinese community leader. At the age of 88, he has not participated in many community activities in recent years. Nonetheless he was glad to come with his wife after hearing about this exhibition. He was also moved by these paintings and said, “Very good. Nobody, no government, could suppress belief.” He also said that he was sympathetic towards the hardship practitioners had endured and was willing to lend his support.
People Learn the Facts through the Exhibition
Many people came to the exhibition and were curious to learn about what had happened in China. Some also asked where they could purchase these paintings.
When Tom David came to the building for other business, he stopped by the exhibition. He said that he supported the Falun Gong practitioners and wrote in the guest book, “Super! Absolutely beautiful!”
One lady was deeply moved by the paintings. She said, “I knew Beijing has air pollution problems, as well as human right issues. But I did not know that it was this bad. I cannot forget the sadness of the elderly lady, the child in tears, and the brutal torture. What is going on in China?!”
Another lady Salome viewed the paintings and said that she had been to Shenyang City in China. People there told her not to discuss Falun Gong or Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. That made her puzzled and curious. Upon returning to the U.S., she found out some information from the Internet and spoke with practitioners who did group exercises in parks. From them she learned of the cruel persecution, including live organ harvesting.
“The brutal persecution has gone on for too long, and it should come to an end. Justice needs to be served,” said Salome.
