the vision behind the lens
After 46 years of making films and at an age when most people think about retiring, filmmaker Richard Kane is onto his most ambitious project yet. CONTINUE
Bill Moyers signs on!
We head to NYC February 25th to film Bill Moyers, a vocal advocate of an independent press. “I am an ardent fan of Robert’s work and of the man himself. He is the Diogenes of our time, searching for truth in the work of his subjects. He has become an invaluable chronicler of 21st century America.” READ MOYERS’ BIOGRAPHY
After NYC, we go to Charlottesville for a busy schedule February 26 - March 2nd. Portrait exhibits along with speaking events will take place at the University of Virginia, Monticello and the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. We will film Zyahna Bryant and Shetterly at the site of the Robert E. Lee statue, the focus of Bryant’s activism since she was 15. Participants will include Rev. Lennox Yearwood (Hip Hop Caucus), Kelsey Juliana, Diane Wilson, Sherri Mitchell, David Swanson, John Hunter, Zyahna Bryant, Bree Newsome.
What defines a great American? For artist/activist Robert Shetterly, it’s a citizen who courageously confronts issues of social, environmental and economic fairness. Shetterly has painted 250 portraits of such Americans, past and present, with a quote inscribed into the dark background. These Americans Who Tell the Truth have been exhibited throughout the United States for almost two decades. Truth Tellers is both a story of Shetterly’s art and activism and a history lesson in what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. In bringing Shetterly’s message to a wide audience, Truth Tellers will spark a national conversation on truth telling.
TRUTH TELLERS is being produced under the fiscal sponsorship of the Union of Maine Visual Artists, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. You may donate online (above) or by check. Please make out checks to “UMVA - Truth Tellers” and mail to UMVA, c/o Jackie Bennett, Treasurer, PO Box 51, Walpole, ME 04573. To donate stock, call Kane-Lewis Productions 207-359-2320.
““The greatest natural resource in the world is the unused and untapped potential residing in underserved, marginalized and low status communities.” - Stephen Ritz”
One of the most effective, charismatic teachers of our time, Stephen Ritz authored The Power of a Plant and created the Bronx Green Machine, an immersive whole-school curriculum that aligns the art and science of growing vegetables with daily academic instruction in all subject areas. Ritz believes his students shouldn't have to leave their community to live, learn and earn. In this clip from “Teachers Make a Difference” Ritz says: “The greatest teacher in my life is Robert Shetterly.”
There’s still no clean water, reports Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who sounded the alarm about the high presence of lead in Flint, MI drinking water. Other panelists were Richard Bowen, the Citibank whistle-blower, and Robert Shetterly.
Whistleblower: A person who makes public disclosure of corruption or wrongdoing.
Louis Clark, defender of whistle-blowers, discusses his work with Robert Shetterly.
Robert Shetterly speaks on militarism and climate change at the Good Life Center, June 10, 2019
TRUTH TELLERS is being produced under the fiscal sponsorship of the Union of Maine Visual Artists, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. You may donate online (above) or by check. Please make out checks to “UMVA - Truth Tellers” and mail to UMVA, c/o Jackie Bennett, Treasurer, PO Box 51, Walpole, ME 04573. To donate stock, call Kane-Lewis Productions 207-359-2320.
Robert Shetterly’s portrait subject Richard Bowen, Citibank whistle-blower, discusses how “in the banking community there is no downside to fraud”.
This scene in the classroom of Professor Mara Sapon-Shevin reveals her ideas on American education and why Shetterly chose to paint her portrait. It also features educator/activist Bill Ayers.
RECENT PRESS
Director Richard Kane and artist Robert Shetterly appeared on Maine Arts Alive on April 23, 2019, a WERU 89.9 Community Radio program hosted by Michael Donohue. Listen here
Robert Shetterly speaking at Syracuse University
Curatorial staff mount the portrait of Terry Tempest Williams
James Clark, Professor of Theater Management at Syracuse University, addresses a gathering at the Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibit
