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, 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
Noel Paul Stookey and AWTT at the Camden Opera House
Noel Paul Stookey in concert with bassist Michael Burd. Artist Robert Shetterly, of Americans Who Tell the Truth, will unveil his portrait of Stookey.
What's New
AWTT to be Honored by Maine Art Education Association
We are pleased to announce that Americans Who Tell the Truth has been named the 2024 Maine Art Education Association’s Art Advocate of the Year.
Orono Rocks Community-wide Event
Through a collaborative effort, the Orono Public Library, the Town of Orono, and RSU 26 ( the Orono schools) brought an exhibition and presentation of
AWTT Urges Dialogue on Difficult Issues
Americans Who Tell the Truth – and founding artist Robert Shetterly – recognize that the truth isn’t always obvious or easily discovered. We must search