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.
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
Painted
in the Samantha Smith Challenge
Hosted Portrait Exhibits
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

AWTT Travels to Philadelphia for Museum Conference
AWTT staff members are excited to attend, for the first time ever, the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in Philadelphia on May 20-23.
What's New

Students and Portrait Subjects Connect
During the Spring 2026 term, schools working with Americans Who Tell the Truth have enjoyed energizing conversations with living AWTT portrait subjects. As these students

Roslindale School Hosts Portraits of Black Women in History
Fourth graders at Phineas Bates Elementary School in Roslindale, Massachusetts, are learning about the brave suffragists and changemakers who worked to make voting rights for

Portrait of Whistleblower Erez Reuveni Unveiled
AWTT artist Robert Shetterly unveils portrait of whistleblower Erez Rauveni.





