Gallery Buzz

For Immediate Release:

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Co-Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, honored Irondequoit native Tarie Minchak, winner of the Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 25th Congressional District. Tarie and her father, Peter, made their way to Washington to meet with the Congresswoman and see Tarie’s artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol.

Tarie Minchak and Congresswoman Slaughter

“I am incredibly proud of Tarie and the other young artists who entered their tremendous artwork in this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Rep. Slaughter. “As a lifelong supporter and advocate for the arts, I fully understand the impact art can have not only on artists but on the greater community as well. Congratulations to Tarie on this achievement, and I hope she and other students continue to pursue the arts throughout their lives.”

Tarie’s piece is entitled “Leaving Home.” The medium is watercolor pen and ink on paper. Working with her art teacher Melissa McCallum, Tarie began her exploration into art studying Anime, and has since explored drawing, ceramics and pottery. She has taken classes at the Memorial Art Gallery’s Creative Workshop in Rochester and plans to continue pursuing her study of art in college and beyond.

Tarie Minchak, “Leaving Home”

In May, a panel comprised of curators and educators from Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery judged the district’s submissions and selected Tarie as the winner. The panel cited Tarie’s “imagination and a sense of wonder,” as well as her use of text and unique visual elements in their selection. Tarie’s artwork is currently on display in the U.S. Capitol along with pieces by other winners from all around the country. The other 25th District entries are on display in Rep. Slaughter’s Rochester office.

Arts and culture-related industries provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: they create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. Each year, the nonprofit arts industry generates $135.2 billion in economic activity, and provides 4.13 million full-time jobs. At the same time, this industry returns $9.59 billion to the federal government in income taxes. Arts-industry businesses employ almost 3 million people, representing 4.14 percent of all businesses and 2.17 percent of all employees, respectively. America’s arts and entertainment are also leading exports, with estimates of more than $30 billion annually in overseas sales. From the work of nonprofit arts agencies to the impact of cultural tourism, the creative sector is important to state economies all across the country.