What do Rachel Carson, Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Moyers and Samantha Smith have in common? For artist Robert Shetterly it is their willingness to participate in the world, to work towards improving it and having the courage to stand up for what he calls "the promise of America." Their portraits are part of a landmark touring exhibition, Robert Shetterly's "Americans Who Tell the Truth," that is showing in community centers, churches, colleges and schools around the country. A selection of portraits will return to the Atrium Art Gallery at the University of Southern Maine's Lewiston-Auburn College after a successful 2005 exhibit.

Spanning the fall 2008 semester, the exhibit will run Sept. 2 through Dec. 19 and offer opportunities for school tours. Exhibition tours can be adapted for fourth-grade through high-school-age students to include class assignments or focus on an area of study such as civil rights, U.S. history, science, literature, social justice or economics.

"Americans Who Tell the Truth" continues to grow - the entire collection is now more than 100 portraits. Shetterly includes historical figures as well as contemporary Americans, some familiar and others who have worked quietly.

They come from diverse backgrounds - impoverished to privileged, illiterate to educated. Physicians, scientists, politicians, artists, writers and advocates for civil liberties, labor, economic and environmental rights all have places in the exhibit.

For more information on the exhibit or school tours, contact Robyn Holman, 753-0232, or e-mail holman@usm.maine.edu. USM LAC is located at 51 Westminster St. "Americans Who Tell the Truth" can be seen online at www.americans whotellthetruth.org.