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
Scott Nearing Portrait by Robert Shetterly
Henry David Thoreau
 

The Samantha Smith Challenge

Open to middle school and high school students, this year's theme is Show US Who You Are! View 2020-2021 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

Award-winning filmmaker, Richard Kane, is making a documentary about Robert Shetterly and Americans Who Tell the Truth. To learn more, go to: www.kanelewis.com. 

Most Recent Portraits

Our full gallery now includes 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

  • Cove Street Arts: I Am an American

    Portland, Maine
    -

    “I Am An American” exhibition opens Thursday, Nov. 12 at Cove Street Arts in Portland, Maine. 

  • Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest

    Hosted by The My HERO Project

    Americans Who Tell the Truth and The MY HERO Project are co-sponsoring this year's Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest. The deadline for submissions is December 10, 2020. 

  • Using Storytelling for Social Justice

    virtual
    Hosted by Northeast Storytelling

    Saturday, November 14, 2020 3-4:30 p.m. Andy Davis—storyteller and peace activist—will moderatea panel of experts who have successfully used storytelling to shine a light on social justice issues. Panelists will discuss how to make a peaceful, sustainable, compassionate societyirresistiblethrough a mighty stream of stories.

  • AWTT Exhibit at Zumi's in Ipswich, MA

    Ipswich, MA
    -
    Hosted by Zumi's

    Announcement fromZumi's: So honored and excited for this timely 2020 Art Exhibit at Zumi’s. It will be up throughout the month of October- don’t miss it! So much inspiration in this community engagement project featuring the artwork of Robert Shetterly.

  • The BTS Center Summer Arts Series

    Hosted by The BTS Center

    In partnership with Americans Who Tell the Truth, The BTS Center's first online gathering in their 2020 Summer Arts series will feature presentations by visual artist Rob Shetterly and indigenous environmental scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer, as well as some music.

NEWS

  • Remembering Dr. King

    AWTT

    Reflecting on Marc Lamont Hill’s statement: “Today, let us remember Martin Luther King as he was: a Black radical anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, revolutionary Christian who died as an enemy of the State. Anything else is just a lie.”

  • Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold

    AWTT

    Today we reflect on the wisdom of Aldo Leopold, born on this day in 1887 - ahead of his time. As we are becoming increasingly aware, the eradication of any species, be it flora or fauna, carries with it serious consequences for local and global ecosystems.

  • Congratulations to Kristina Borjesson

    Progressive Radio Network has given The Whistleblower Newsroom an award for outstanding programming in the investigative reporting category. 

  • Sherri Mitchell: The Search for Why

    Pop-Up Magazine

    Penobscot Nation activist Sherri Mitchell's essay "Theory of Natural Connection" appears alongside her AWTT portrait in Pop-Up Magazine's year-end special "Year in Search: The search for why."

  • Virginia Commission Selects Barbara Rose Johns to Represent Virginia in U.S. Capitol

    Richmond, VA
    Office of the Governor

    Virginia's Commission on Historical Statues in the United States Capitol has voted to recommend civil rights icon Barbara Rose Johns to represent Virginia in the National Statuary Hall Collection, replacing the statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee.