New York: Visitors Express Appreciation for Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Exhibition

(Minghui.org) The first World Barbecue Championship in the eastern United States was held in Deer Park, Orange County, New York from August 2 to 3, 2025. Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) practitioners held the Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) International Exhibition near the competition venue, and visitors and contestants had the opportunity to view the artworks. Many people signed a petition to show their support for practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution.

Practitioners have held the art exhibition at this venue for more than twenty years. The artworks have been exhibited in more than fifty countries and nine hundred cities around the world. Eighteen artworks were displayed during the Barbecue Championship, depicting the peacefulness of Falun Dafa practitioners due to their cultivation of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. Many of the artworks also depict the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of practitioners, and people’s yearning for the heavenly world.

A steady stream of visitors viewed the artworks. Some were moved to tears and many remarked that the spiritual message conveyed through the paintings is “extremely powerful.” Some said this was the first time they’d heard about Falun Dafa and the concept of cultivation. Others were interested in practicing Falun Dafa and doing the meditation.

Many visitors signed a petition that urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act.

Dr. Wang, an art exhibition volunteer guide who practices Falun Dafa, said that visitors consisted not only of local residents but also families from Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states, who came to attend the barbecue competition. “Many people signed the petition to show their support for Falun Dafa practitioners after they toured the exhibition. These people have a strong sense of justice and are proactive. There are also many people who praised the quality of the art, and said the exhibition was beautiful.”

When people learned that the CCP makes use of the state apparatus, including the political arm, law, the judiciary, and the military to carry out the systematic and large-scale secret harvesting of organs from imprisoned Falun Dafa practitioners while they are still alive, they signed the petition. The petition urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act. Most people said they were left with a deep impression of the persecution that practitioners are subjected to, and some said, “The artworks allowed me to truly experience how evil the persecution is.”

Mr. George from Middletown brought his mother to see the exhibition. He explained that he’s a priest and said, “I have a deep impression of the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance that Falun Gong promotes and also the spiritual charisma that the practice emanates. I also really admire the cultivation spirits of the practitioners. In the face of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners exhibit extraordinary faith. Their courage to defy violence and overcome suffering deeply moved me too. I will definitely buy a copy of Zhuan Falun tomorrow, read the book carefully and learn the exercise movements.”

Mr. Salvador Bolivar, an independent film producer and director who recently moved from New York City to Orange County, said, “Thank you all for the art exhibition, because it gives me a chance to learn about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa. When I lived in New York City, we knew that Falun Dafa practitioners have persisted for many years and peacefully meditate and protest in front of the Chinese Embassy to call for the persecution to stop. We’ve always deeply admired their perseverance in holding peaceful protests, and today, I am happy that I can personally express my support for the practitioners’ efforts in trying to stop the persecution.”

Mr. Russell Space, a local resident, was brought to the art exhibition by his neighbor who had toured the exhibition earlier. “These artworks are intriguing,” he said. “The persecution that is currently happening in China is horrifying.” He and his neighbor also signed the petition that asks the U.S. Senate to pass the Falun Gong Protection Act, and said, “I support kind Chinese people. I object to the CCP.”

One person wrote in the guestbook, “Thank you all for holding such a wonderful art exhibition. The truth is painful but the way the message is conveyed here is wonderful. Once again, thank you all for telling the community about this persecution that is happening in the world.”

Another visitor wrote, “This is an art exhibition that leaves a deep impression in people. I will bring my student to see it.”

One of the artists, Ms. Xiaoping Chen, also came to the exhibition. She said, “As an artist, I feel very comforted being able to let more people understand the beautiful spirit of Falun Dafa, helping them see the high and extensive connotations of cultivation, and learn about the CCP’s persecution of cultivators. I want to bring people compassion and create a harmonious ambiance.”