Upcoming Events

1:30pm–3:30pm Free with admission Meet Americans Who Tell the Truth artist and activist Robert Shetterly during a special book & poster signing at the museum. Shetterly's portraits feature individuals throughout American history who exemplify courageous citizenship, democratic ideals, and commitment to the common good. Americans Who Tell the Truth books and posters will be available to purchase in the Museum Shop. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the artist behind the powerful exhibition on view now! Robert Shetterly was born in 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Harvard College with a degree in English Literature in 1969. At Harvard, he took courses in drawing, which changed the direction of his creative life—from the written word to the image. During this time, he was also active in the Civil Rights and Anti-Vietnam War movements. After college, Shetterly moved to Maine in 1970 where he taught himself drawing, printmaking, and painting. For twelve years, Shetterly created the editorial page drawings for The Maine Times newspaper, illustrated National Audubon’s children’s newspaper Audubon Adventures, and illustrated approximately 30 books. Shetterly’s paintings and prints are in collections throughout the United States and Europe. Since 2002, he has been painting the series of portraits, Americans Who Tell the Truth. Exhibitions of the portraits have been organized for over 20 years across 35 states at venues including university museums, grade school libraries, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, and the Superior Court in San Francisco. Truth Tellers, Richard Kane’s film about the project, premiered in 2021 and continues to be screened, including at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. For 25 years, Shetterly was the President of the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA), and a producer of the UMVA’s Maine Masters Project, an ongoing series of video documentaries about Maine artists. Robert Shetterly lives in Brooksville, Maine with his partner Gail Page, a painter and children’s book writer and illustrator.  

6:00pm Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center135 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202Free and open to the public A new portrait of Dr. Alice P. Green (1940–2024) will be the newest addition to Americans Who Tell the Truth, Robert Shetterly’s ongoing series of portraits celebrating "truth tellers"—individuals throughout U.S. history who exemplify courageous citizenship and democratic ideals. Organized by a partnership between the Albany Institute of History & Art, the Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center, the Center for Law and Justice, and New York State Writers Institute, the portrait will be unveiled in a public ceremony at the Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center on Thursday, May 22 at 6PM, and will include remarks by Shetterly. The portrait of Dr. Green will remain on view during a free open house at the center on Friday, May 23 from 3–7PM. The Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center is located at 135 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202. Located in Albany’s South End Neighborhood, the Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center provides opportunities and space for artistic and cultural-related activities and events including community conversations and exhibits for all ages. The Center’s mission is to advance the appreciation of Black art and culture, foster artistic and cultural expression, and serve as a dynamic community hub.  

11:00am–11:45am Enrich your experience of our current exhibitions through a docent-led tour of the galleries. Docent tours are an excellent way to learn more about the artworks and objects on display, in addition to the stories they tell. Interaction and questions are encouraged, and visitors of all ages are welcome. The tour is free with museum admission, no registration required. Please plan to meet in the museum atrium, main level, near the front desk before the tour begins.

12:00pm–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on select Saturdays of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.

2:00pm–3:00pm Enrich your experience of our current exhibitions through an insightful docent-led tour of the galleries. Docent tours are an excellent way to learn more about the artworks and objects on display, in addition to the stories they tell. Interaction and questions are encouraged, and visitors of all ages are welcome. The tour is free with museum admission, no registration required. Please plan to meet in the museum atrium, main level, near the admission desk before the tour begins.