Old Town Elementary School in Old Town, Maine hosted an exhibit of eight AWTT portraits during May 2025. This was the third school to participate in AWTT’s partnership program where a local business or organization sponsors a school exhibit; Old Town’s sponsor was Bangor Savings Bank. Soon the exhibit became a community affair, with Old Town High School teacher Justin Lewin and his son Gavin building easels to display some of the portraits. The OTES faculty organizers invited all art classes, civics classes and community organizations in the area – or any interested group – to schedule a visit.

The exhibit included the portraits of Margaret Chase Smith, Samantha Smith, Denise Altvater, Abraham Lincoln, Rachel Carson, Deca Dhalac, Myles Horten, and Ross Gelbspan.

During the month, one group of students focused on Rachel Carson and learned about her work as a scientist and a writer.  They took nature walks in the woods and then drew pictures and wrote about objects they found.  Then they thought about what their messages would be if they were writing a book about the environment.

Other students viewed the portraits and then, utilizing AWTT’s Show Us Who You Are tutorial lessons, drew self-portraits with quotations reflecting their beliefs and concerns about social justice issues. After being displayed in the school for the month, these self-portraits were shared in a variety of community locations including the Old Town Public Library and the Bangor Savings Bank. Students also composed a song using the quotations on their portraits as the lyrics.

Here is what an OTES administrator had to say about the month her students spent with the portraits:

“The exhibit did so much more than decorate our walls—it opened wide the doors to essential conversations, truths, and learning that our students and staff will carry with them for a long time.

“The portraits sparked curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. Our students, even at the youngest ages, were drawn to the stories of courageous individuals who stood up for justice, equity, and truth. These powerful representations of integrity and strength helped us talk about real-world issues in developmentally meaningful ways. We saw students asking thoughtful questions, drawing connections between the lives in the portraits and their own, and feeling inspired to consider how they, too, could make a difference.

“Teachers reported some of the most meaningful classroom discussions of the year—about fairness, identity, voice, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. These portraits became windows and mirrors for our learners—introducing them to people who look like them, and to others whose experiences they may never have known otherwise. Parents expressed their gratitude for sharing this with their children and our community, and the power something like this carries for our future.

“Thank you for this extraordinary resource. It has planted seeds of understanding, courage, and social responsibility in our school community. We are incredibly grateful.”

If your school is interested in hosting a “partner-sponsored” exhibit, please contact AWTT’s Education Director Connie Carter [email protected].