Artist Robert Shetterly will unveil his portrait of Rivera Sun on Sunday, May 4, at the Bay School in Blue Hill, Maine. This will be the 278th addition to the Americans Who Tell The Truth project, whose subjects include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Jones, Cesar Chavez, Scott Nearing, Alice Paul, Rosa Parks, and numerous others. 

At this celebratory unveiling, artist Rob Shetterly will speak about why he decided to paint this portrait. Rivera Sun will say a few words about the role of stories in fact and fiction. Previous portrait subject Sherri Mitchell – Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset will offer remarks from her long-term friendship with Rivera. And, as a special treat, students from the Bay School may perform a skit from Rivera Sun’s collection of short stories The Adventures of Alaren. 

This in-person event will be recorded and may be livestreamed. Sign-up for both the livestream and the recording here.

Rivera Sun

Author/Activist Rivera Sun grew up on an organic farm in Northern Maine. She has written numerous books and novels, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara series. Rivera Sun is a visionary writer whose work aims to awaken and empower readers of all ages. Her high-quality literature captures the imagination with a blend of compelling stories anchored in nonviolent action and social justice themes.

Rivera is also the editor of Nonviolence News, collecting and sharing 30-50 stories of nonviolence around the world each week. She is the Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence and a nonviolence trainer. Her articles are syndicated by Peace Voice and have been published in hundreds of journals nationwide. For four years, she co-hosted nationally syndicated radio programs Occupy Radio and Love and Revolution Radio. Rivera Sun serves on the board of Backbone Campaign and the advisory board of World BEYOND War.

Americans Who Tell The Truth

Rivera Sun’s portrait joins 277 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 educational materials, 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. Since then Shetterly and his organization 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.