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

Shetterly to Unveil Erez Reuveni Portrait at National Press Club Event
On the evening of April 30, 2026, whistleblower Erez Reuveni will be honored with the 2025 Ridenhour Truth-Telling Prize, and AWTT artist Robert Shetterly will be unveiling his portrait of Reuveni.
What's New

Student Change Makers: From Ordinary to Extraordinary
The Brooklin School – a small elementary school in rural Maine – hosted eight AWTT portraits in March 2026. The “truth teller” portraits ranged from

Lucy Meyer Unveiling a Success!
On March 25, 2026, Robert Shetterly unveiled his portrait of Lucy Meyer, an international advocate and spokesperson for young people with disabilities. The unveiling was

Removal of Cesar Chavez’s Portrait
Just a few weeks ago we removed the portrait of Noam Chomsky from the AWTT gallery because of his association with the sexual predator Jeffrey





