Using the power of art to illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America's democratic ideals and model the commitment to act for the common good.
Americans Who Tell the Truth
We are dedicated to the belief that a profound understanding of citizenship is the only safeguard of democracy and the best defense of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Working with our portraits and narratives of courageous citizens, Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) crafts collaborative educational and community experiences that illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America’s democratic ideals and model the commitment to act for the common good.
By The Numbers
Portraits
Painted
Painted
0
Students Participated
in the Samantha Smith Challenge
in the Samantha Smith Challenge
0
Books Published
0
States Have
Hosted Portrait Exhibits
Hosted Portrait Exhibits
0
Countless New Activists Inspired
Programs
AWTT has a wide range of educational and community offerings. From elementary schools to graduate programs, AWTT’s mission is to use the portraits of these courageous activists as learning opportunities that encourage everyone to become engaged citizens as they address issues of social, racial, environmental, and economic justice. AWTT offers workshops, speaking engagements, and lesson plans and encourages schools, universities, and communities to host portrait exhibits. AWTT offers lessons and themed exhibits around environmental justice, civil rights, the media, indigenous issues, women’s rights, and much more.
Education
AWTT harnesses the power of teaching social justice through the arts and helps students learn to become courageous, engaged citizens.
Exhibits & Community Engagement
AWTT portraits inspire a future of active citizenship in your community, and they are available for an exhibit at your institution or in your community.
“AWTT is able to ‘story’ American social justice advocates that celebrate and bring them to life for generations to come.”
Bill Bigelow
Zinn Education Project Director
Shop
Shop AWTT products – prints, t-shirts, mugs, and more – to support education and community programming for Americans Who Tell the Truth. Know that you are helping inspire citizenship, activism, and work for the common good.Upcoming Events
Troy Howard Middle School hosts School Partnership exhibit
Troy Howard Middle School announces that they will host nine AWTT portraits during the month of March 2025.
What's New
Enter MY HERO Project’s Student Portrait Contest
The MY HERO Project has opened its invitation to enter the 2025 Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest. Submissions are due by May 1, 2025. Students of
March 14, 2025
Why I Painted Joan Gussow: The Time Has Come For Local Agriculture
As we remember Joan Gussow, who died last Friday, March 7, we dusted off the statement that Robert Shetterly wrote when he unveiled his portrait
March 10, 2025
Teacher Caitlin Hutt and the Samantha Smith Challenge project receive AMLE award
The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has announced Caitlin Hutt and the Samantha Smith Challenge project as the 2024 recipient of the Conrad Toepfer
March 4, 2025