The World of Wellesley will bring artist Robert Shetterly’s portraits of both famous and rank-and-file Americans who stand up against injustice to the Wellesley Community Center for an art exhibit and fundraiser on September 30. Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth portraits highlight citizens who have called out injustice, demanded change, and generally rabble roused by using the democratic tools of free speech and engaged citizenship.
The 30″ x 36″ wood panels, painted in acrylic, will be on view on two floors of the Community Center, and Shetterly will be on hand to discuss his artwork and activism. Light appetizers will be served, and wine and beer will be available at a cash bar.
The World of Wellesley is a non-profit organization that offers community programming and supports and sponsors the Fiske Heritage Day, Martin Luther King Family Events, the Wellesley Public Library’s ESL Program. All proceeds from the event will fund the World of Wellesley for the year to come and enable the organization to provide many opportunities for Wellesley to continue engaging in creating welcoming events, dialogue, community gatherings, education and programming. Donations to attend the event are $50 and are tax deductible. Click here for tickets.
Here are a couple examples of Shetterly’s work:
Majora Carter, Environmental Justice Activist
“Poor people of all colors are getting poorer and our communities are getting more toxic. There is a misconception that to grow our economy we will have to do business as usual, because cleaning up the environment, mitigating climate change is just too costly. Well, I say the business of poverty is just too expensive a bill for humanity to pay any longer.”
Frank Serpico, Retired police detective, author, lecturer
“A policeman’s first obligation is to be responsible to the needs of the community he serves…The problem is that the atmosphere does not yet exist in which an honest police officer can act without fear of ridicule or reprisal from fellow officers. We create an atmosphere in which the honest officer fears the dishonest officer, and not the other way around.”
- 1971: Became the first New York City policeman in history to testify about widespread corruption in the department.
- 1972: Received the NYPD’s higest award, The Medal of Honor.
- After being shot and testifying about corruption in the NYPD, Serpico lived in Europe for nearly a decade.
- Al Pacino played Serpico in the 1973 movie about his life.
