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
AWTT Unveilings in Greensborough
The Beloved Community Center of Greensborough, NC hosts its fourth annual Truth, Justice and Reconcilliation conference on February 8-10, 2026 at Bennett College’s Global Leaning Center. AWTT artist Robert Shetterly will be unveiling two portraits on opening day.
What's New
Art in an Age of Democratic Upheaval
AWTT artist Robert Shetterly delivered this address to an in-house and online audience at the Center for Global Humanities, University of New England, on the
February 2, 2026
Just to Watch him Die
When I was just a baby, my mama told me, “SonAlways be a good boy, don′t ever play with guns”But I shot a man in
January 26, 2026
Sports, Trump and Unruling the Game
Ever since discovering playground kickball in the second grade, I have loved sports. In high school I ran track (a mediocre 400 meters), played football (a
January 20, 2026