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.
American’s 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, 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 and engaged citizens.
Exhibits & Community Engagement
AWTT portraits inspire a future of active citizenship in your community and 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
Truth Tellers: Broadcast Premier on Vermont Public
Vermont Public will host the broadcast premier of Truth Tellers February 16, 2023 at 8 p.m. Truth Tellers, a film chronicling the lives of courageous Americans fighting for racial and indigenous rights, is a story of Maine artist Robert Shetterly’s art and activism and a history lesson in what it
What's New
Black History Month: AWTT Gallery Welcomes New Portraits
Artist Robert Shetterly wasn’t thinking about Black History Month when he began painting his most recent portrait subjects. Almost by coincidence, these three portraits were
Some 2022 News Highlights from the AWTT Portrait Gallery
As we rang in the new year, we also checked in on a few AWTT portrait subjects, to learn what they have been up to
AWTT News from Philadelphia
This fall has been a busy time for Americans Who Tell the Truth. After a very successful conference at Thomas College for over 100 Maine