Draft:Americans Who Tell the Truth

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  • Comment: Please ensure the article has citations for each section and has the same format of existing articles on similar topics. Everything from "History" to "Portraits" lacks citations GGOTCC 17:43, 9 September 2025 (UTC)
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Americans Who Tell the Truth
Formation2002
FounderRobert Shetterly
TypeNonprofit organization
HeadquartersBrooksville, Maine, U.S.
WebsiteOfficial website

Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) is a nonprofit arts and education organization based in the United States, founded in 2002 by artist Robert Shetterly. The organization is dedicated to promoting civic engagement, social justice, democracy, and environmental stewardship through the integration of art, history, education, and community involvement.

History

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The AWTT project began as a personal artistic endeavor following the September 11 attacks. Shetterly created a series of portraits depicting individuals he regarded as "truth-tellers," who exemplified civic courage. This initiative evolved into a formal nonprofit organization in 2004, broadening its scope through traveling exhibitions and partnerships with educational institutions. [1] [2] [3]

Portrait of James Baldwin by AWTT artist Robert Shetterly with the quote "People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster.”

Portraits

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AWTT's collection comprises over 280 oil portraits painted on wood panels, each accompanied by a quotation from the subject. Notable figures featured in the collection include activists, educators, and community leaders such as Shannon Watts, James Baldwin, Joanna Macy, and Richard Blanco. The portraits serve as a visual representation of those who have made impactful contributions to society. [4] [5]

Founder/Artist

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Robert Shetterly, a painter and activist based in Maine, is the founder of Americans Who Tell the Truth. His personal commitment to social justice and civic engagement is reflected in his artistic practice. [6] [7] [8]

Mission & Education

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The mission of AWTT is to foster democratic values and civic participation through art and education. The organization integrates Shetterly’s portraits into lesson plans, storytelling projects, and public programs. These programs aim to facilitate community discovery and emphasize the role of history in shaping individuals’ lives. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Educational initiatives include:

Documentary

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Portrait of Stacey Abrams by AWTT artist Robert Shetterly with the quote reading:“… citizenship requires constant action, which includes voting, protesting and participating: and without the combination, we are all in jeopardy.”

The documentary Truth Tellers (2021)[1], directed by Richard Kane, profiles Shetterly and the AWTT project, featuring interviews with subjects and footage from exhibitions. The film was distributed nationally by PBS and widely reviewed [13] [14]

Exhibitions

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AWTT portraits have been exhibited across more than 25 states in various venues, including schools, libraries, churches, and museums. Exhibitions include:

  • The Rockwell Museum, New York (2018) [2][15]
  • Cornell University, New York (2021) [3][16]
  • York Public Library, Maine (2023) [4][17]
  • Colby College, Maine (2023) [5][18]
  • New Jersey Education Association Convention (2024) [6][19]
  • Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, New York (2024) [7][20]
  • Grace Street Gallery, Vanderbilt, North Carolina (2024) [8][21]
  • Bates Mill, Maine (2024) [9][22]
  • Curb Center, James Madison University, Virginia (2025) [10][23]
  • Albany Institute of History & Art, New York (2025) [11][24]

Publications

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  • Americans Who Tell the Truth (Dutton, 2005). [25] [26]
  • Portraits of Racial Justice (2021).[27] [28]
  • Portraits of Earth Justice (2022).[29]
  • Portraits of Peacemakers (2024).[30] [31]
Portrait of Joanna Macy by AWTT artist Robert Shetterly with the quote reading: “The most remarkable feature of this historical moment on Earth is not that we are on the way to destroying the world—we’ve actually been on the way for quite a while. It is that we are beginning to wake up, as from a millennia-long sleep, to a whole new relationship to our world, to ourselves and each other.”

Awards & Commendations[32]

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Robert Shetterly and AWTT have received multiple accolades, including:

  • Rising Tide Award from the Maine People’s Alliance (2005)
  • Honorary Member of the Maine Chapter of Veterans for Peace (2005)
  • Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of Southern Maine (2007)
  • Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of New England (2007)
  • Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow (2009)
  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Maine at Farmington (2011)
  • Hands of Peace Award from the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine (2012)
  • Use of Shetterly's portrait of Shirley Chisholm on a USPS Black Heritage Series postage stamp (2014)
  • Ashley Bryan Arts and Humanities Award from the Maine Education Association (2023)
  • Named Art Advocate of the Year by the Maine Art Education Association (2024)
Portrait of Nicole and Jonas Maines by AWTT artist Robert Shetterly with the quotes Nicole: “I realized my gender at the same time my brother did. Yet everyone assumed that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I couldn’t possibly be old enough to make the distinction between whether I was a boy or a girl. Yet my twin brother was.” Jonas: “Hate isn’t instinctual, it is learned. We teach our children to share the same ignorance and prejudices as us, and this is how they live on. Teaching a younger generation to love and understand will allow bigotry and hate to pass out of our lives.”

References

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  1. ^ "Americans Who Tell The Truth - Art and Education As Resistance". Podomatic. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  2. ^ Tryon, Nora (2019-12-22). "Robert Shetterly — AWTT/ Why Art". The Maine Arts Journal: The UMVA Quarterly. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  3. ^ Northeast Harbor Library (2023-03-30). "Americans Who Tell The Truth," a lecture by artist Robert Shetterly. Retrieved 2025-09-12 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ pulp_new (2022-09-14). "Robert Shetterly's politically charged art series turns 20 at ArtRage Gallery". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  5. ^ "Opinion | Portraits of Courage | Common Dreams". www.commondreams.org. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  6. ^ "Maine artist devotes decades to his project 'Americans Who Tell The Truth'". newscentermaine.com. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  7. ^ "Robert Shetterly". New Village Press. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  8. ^ "Honoring those who speak truth to power | Faith and Leadership". faithandleadership.com. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  9. ^ Barber, Alex (2011-10-31). "Artist Robert Shetterly to speak in Pittsfield". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  10. ^ "Americans Who Tell the Truth". Zinn Education Project. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  11. ^ TEDx Talks (2014-02-26). Americans who tell the truth and narrative activism: Robert Shetterly at TEDxYouth@JBMHS. Retrieved 2025-09-12 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Royzman, Valerie (2022-03-01). "Maine artist's activists portrait series meant to inspire courage in young Americans". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  13. ^ "Truth Tellers | Bullfrog Films: 1-800-543-3764: Environmental DVDs and Educational DVDs". www.bullfrogfilms.com. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  14. ^ "'Truth Tellers' documentary peers into the state of American courage". The Portland Press Herald. 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  15. ^ "Americans Who Tell the Truth: Portraits by Robert Shetterly". The Rockwell Museum. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  16. ^ ""Americans Who Tell the Truth" highlights stories of courage | Cornell Chronicle". news.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  17. ^ ""Americans Who Tell the Truth" Portraits to Come to York Public Library November 2 – Presented by York Diversity Forum | York Public Library". Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  18. ^ Abigail (2023-01-13). "Colby Will Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr". Colby News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  19. ^ Steve Adubato (2025-03-22). Artist Robert Shetterly talks about his portrait series: Americans Who Tell the Truth. Retrieved 2025-09-08 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "At Maxwell, the Conversation About Citizenship Gains Fresh Perspective". Maxwell School. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  21. ^ "Changemakers of the Twenty-First Century: Selections from 'Americans Who Tell the Truth'". Vanderbilt University. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  22. ^ "Maine artist's 'Americans Who Tell the Truth' collection coming to Bates Mill". Lewiston Sun Journal. 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  23. ^ "Americans Who Tell the Truth Portrait Exhibit". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  24. ^ "Americans Who Tell the Truth". www.albanyinstitute.org. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  25. ^ Shetterly, Robert (2005). Americans who tell the truth (1st ed.). New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 978-0-525-47429-6.
  26. ^ AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH | Kirkus Reviews.
  27. ^ "Portraits of Racial Justice". NYU Press. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  28. ^ "Book review: 'Portraits of Racial Justice' captures community of fighters, in paintings and words". The Portland Press Herald. 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  29. ^ "Portraits of Earth Justice". NYU Press. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  30. ^ "Portraits of Peacemakers". NYU Press. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  31. ^ Swanson, David (2024-09-13). "Portraits of Peacemakers - World BEYOND War". World BEYOND War. Archived from the original on 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  32. ^ "About Robert Shetterly - Americans Who Tell the Truth". americanswhotellthetruth.org. 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2025-09-08.