Americans Who Tell the Truth is a non-partisan series of portraits by Brooksville (Maine) artist Rob Shetterly. His portraits of past and current Americans form a traveling exhibit(s) that is hosted by schools, universities, churches, libraries, museums and various community groups around the country.
With this collection of portraits, Rob intends to remind people of the dignity, courage and importance of some of America's truth tellers, our own obligations as citizens, and that the struggle for equality and freedom is on-going. The portraits are meant as role models for all of us as we confront contemporary issues. Whether or not you agree with a particular subject’s point of view, each is an attempt to create dialogue that will help us figure out which truths we value most as citizens in a democracy. Rob is available to give talks separately or in conjunction with exhibits.
Past and future exhibition sites include the Congregational Church of Blue Hill, ME, Bates College (ME), The Jane Addams House in Chicago, the University of Maine at Farmington, Concordia University (MN),the Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL, Allegheny College (PA), the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MA), The African-American Cultural Center in San Francisco, Frankie’s Café in Ellsworth, ME, Augustana College (IL), the Cincinnati Country Day school (OH), the Maine State House, Portland City Hall (ME), Southwest Missouri University, the Sewall-Belmont Museum for Women's Rights in Washington, D.C., the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, WI, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. And too many other places to mention here --- in over 25 states.
"Americans Who Tell the Truth" currently includes more than 165 portraits. Images of most of these can be found on the Portraits section of the website.
To find out more about how to host an exhibit of Truth Teller portraits, contact Robert Shettery,
Helpful Information for Potential Hosts of the Truth Tellers
Choosing the Portraits: Shows may include just one portrait or the whole series depending on how much exhibit space is available and what the budget is. For example, the City Hall in Portland, Maine, hung 10 portraits to commemorate Black History Month. While Community Works New York, working with St. John the Divine, Columbia University and the World Financial Center, hosted 60 of them from May to July, 2005.
Costs: Exhibitors are expected to contribute a reasonable loan fee which helps to keep the project solvent and accessible to as many people as possible. In addition, if an Exhibitor wishes to invite Rob Shetterly to talk at an exhibit they are expected to cover all expenses and offer the artist a modest honorarium.
Space requirements: The portraits measure 31" x 37". We suggest that exhibit hosts plan on 5 linear feet/per portrait with room next to it to post the biographical information about the portrait subject printed from the website. We believe it is essential that the portraits hang at eye level.
Shipping: The portraits ship well via UPS in foam padded, formica-reinforced cardboard crates. This makes it possible to move the exhibit easily from one place to another in the country in just a few days.
The Truth Tellers Team wants the series to be accessible to any community that demonstrates an interest in showing the portraits and has the energy to make it happen.