Public Invited to Dr. Bernard Lown Portrait Unveiling
Americans Who Tell the Truth invites the community to the unveiling of artist Robert Shetterly’s portrait of Lewiston native Dr. Bernard Lown. The event will take place on June 7, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm at the Bates Mill Atrium, 35 Canal St., Lewiston, Maine, 04240.
A renowned cardiologist, inventor, teacher, peace activist and humanitarian, Dr. Bernard Lown held a deep sense of responsibility for physicians to heal not only our physical bodies but debilitating injustices in the body politic. His moral urgency to remedy the world’s wrongs influenced his work throughout his life. From pioneering advancements in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, to becoming a leading advocate for nuclear disarmament, to establishing the first satellite-based global health system, Dr. Lown was committed to, in his words, “behaving as though the destiny of our world depends on each of our actions. This is the moral imperative of our age.” Lown is also remembered for his leadership role with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW); Lown and Russian cardiologist Yevgeni Chazov accepted the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of IPPNW. The evening will consist of several speakers discussing Dr. Lown’s profound impact on the medical world and his commitment to creating global peace.
Speakers at the event will include former Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert, Emily Cain, Doug Rawlings, and members of the Lown family.
Rob Shetterly says, “Dr. Lown recognized that the point where medicine and geo-politics intersect is the prevention of nuclear catastrophe. In the event of a nuclear exchange, doctors would be helpless to treat anyone.”
Dr. Lown’s portrait will join the over 270 portraits that Robert Shetterly has painted as part of the Americans Who Tell the Truth series. Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) uses the power of art to illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America’s democratic ideals and model the commitment to work for the common good. AWTT believes that a profound understanding of citizenship is the only safeguard of democracy and the best defense of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. AWTT’s portraits have been exhibited across the United States in universities, churches, schools, community centers, museums, galleries, and government offices.
AWTT has a wide range of educational and community offerings. From elementary schools to graduate programs, AWTT’s mission is to use its more than 270 portraits of 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 and to engage in its education programs. AWTT offers lessons and themed exhibits around environmental justice, civil rights, the media, indigenous issues, women’s rights, and much more.
The AWTT project was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2004. With the platform provided by the organization, the portraits and Robert Shetterly have participated in hundreds of events, presentations and exhibitions. To date, Shetterly and his portraits have been invited into grammar schools, high schools and colleges in 35 states and Washington, D.C. In addition, AWTT has collaborated with a number of organizations working to promote engaged citizenship through education and the media.