Robert Shetterly's Americans Who Tell The Truth

portraits and narratives highlight citizens who courageously address issues of social, environmental, and economic fairness.

By combining art and other media, AWTT offers resources to inspire a new generation of engaged Americans who will act for the common good, our communities, and the Earth.

View the Galleries
Ralph Ellison Portrait by Robert Shetterly
Marian Wright Edelman Portrait by Robert Shetterly
 

Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest

MY HERO Project/AWTT partnership

Professional and student artists: Submit one or more hero portraits. Deadline extended to December 20, 2021. Learn more here

The Samantha Smith Challenge

Open to middle school and high school students. New challenge starts Nov. 1. View 2021-2022 Guidelines. 

Speaking Truth to Youth

We are excited to announce the launch of our short-video series Speaking Truth to Youth.

Support a doc on Rob Shetterly

Filmmaker, Richard Kane, has made a documentary about Robert Shetterly and Americans Who Tell the Truth, titled Truth Tellers. To learn more, go to: www.kanelewis.com. 

Most Recent Portraits

Our full gallery now include more than 250 portraits of American truth-tellers. You can browse the full gallery. Or just begin your exploration by linking to a few of the most recent additions to the series here. 

Also, check out our newest collection of videos: Speaking Truth to Youth.  Some of our inspiring living portrait subjects share their insights on activism.  

EVENTS

  • Share You Reflections: Truth Tellers Exhibit at Cornell

    Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
    Hosted by Cornell College of Human Ecology

    In conjunction with an exhibit of 17 AWTT portraits on the Cornell campus during the month of November 2021, Cornell's College of Human Ecology has come up with a great online interactive way for students - and others visiting the exhibit either online or in person - to post their reactions to the portraits. Try this out by going to the online exhibit page.

  • Truth Tellers Documentary Screens in Two Maine Locations

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    Hosted by AWTT

    The documentary film Truth Tellers will be screened in Maine during the third week of November. Opera House Arts, Stonington, Maine November 20, 2021 at 7 p.m.

  • Virginia Film Festival: Truth Tellers

    Charlottesville, VA

    What: Screening of Truth Tellers film Where: The Paramount Theater, Charlottesville, VA When: 1:15p.m., Sunday, October 31, 2021 "For activist Robert Shetterly, the divide between art and politics is a small one.

  • AWTT Portraits in Binghamton and Ithaca, New York

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    An exhibit of seventeen AWTT portrait opens at the Broome County Public Library in Binghamton, NY on October 1, 2021. 

  • Americans Who Tell the Truth Celebration

    Peterborough, NH
    Hosted by Mariposa Museum

    What: Americans Who Tell the Truth Celebration Where: Peterborough, New Hampshire (Depot Park and Mariposa Museum) When: October 17, 2021, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Join us in celebrating the achievements of these American truth-tellers in a special indoor-outdoor event! The current AWTTexhibit at Mariposa Museum and World Cultural Centerfeatures paintings by Maine artist Robert She

NEWS

  • Malcolm X Convicted Killers Exonerated; Bryan Stevenson Speaks Out

    VIBE

    Two men convicted for the shooting death of activist and prominent Civil Rights leader Malcolm X are set to be exonerated decades after the tragedy.

  • Humane Education Through History, Art, and Inspiration: An Interview with Robert Shetterly

    Institute for Humane Education

    Zoe Weil, President of the Institute for Humane Education, interviewed AWTT artist Robert Shetterly recently. Robert expresses his views on several issues, including education, climate change, and the role of art in educating and changing society for the better. Read full interview here

  • Remembering Ida Tarbell

    Thanks to The Writer's Almanac for reminding us of the birthday of the great journalist Ida Tarbell, born on this date in 1857. Tarbell is probably best known for writingThe History of the Standard Oil Company, a 19-part series of articles inMcClure’sin 1902 that exposed the questionable business practices of the Standard Oil Company. Tarbell once said: “There was born in me

  • Oct. 29, 1969: Supreme Court Rules Schools Must Desegregate

    Zinn Education Project

    On this anniversary of the Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education Supreme Court ruling on desegregation on Oct. 29, 1969, we remember the vital work of Charles Hamilton Houston who paved the way for many of the legal victories of the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Joanna Macy: Climate Crisis as a Spiritual Path

    Old Dog Documentaries

    Old Dog Documentaries has posted on Vimeothis twenty-minute interview with Joanna Macy. Quoting from Rilke, Macy talks about living life in "the widening circles that reach out across the world." Macy's wisdom about how to approach life - and the impending climate crisis that threatens all life - continues to widen and deepen. Well worth watching - at least once.