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 Portraits Visit Blue Hill Word Festival
Cynthia Winings Gallery in downtown Blue Hill, Maine, will host four Maine-related portraits during the annual Word Festival, October 22-25, 2026.
What's New

Museum Open House features AWTT
AWTT artist Robert Shetterly, executive director Kristie Gonzalez, and education director Connie Carter discuss AWTT’s recent show in Ellsworth, Maine featuring portraits of Maine women,

AWTT at the Word Festival, Blue Hill, Maine 2026
This is the tenth anniversary of the Word Festival in Blue Hill, three days of events celebrating literature and the creative arts with readings, workshops,

the King and the Hare
In a democracy there is only one form of governance that is acceptable: . . . of, by, and for the people. Corrupt authoritarianism is





