Rev. Dr. William Barber, a leader of the Moral Monday movement and the North Carolina NAACP will be in Asheville on Saturday. He is to be honored with the unveiling of his likeness at the opening of the NC debut for the Americans Who Tell the Truth Art & Education Exhibition. The portrait takes its place among over 200 paintings of citizens who, in the opinion of artist Robert Shetterly, have stood up for social, environmental and economic fairness issues.
The exhibit begins at the YMI Cultural Center event with a ticketed gala which will include entertainment and food.
Announcement from Americans Who Tell the Truth organizers:
On Saturday, September 19 at 6:30 pm the YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville will host a Gala Opening Reception for the North Carolina debut of the Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) Art & Education Exhibition. The evening will also celebrate the portrait unveiling of NC’s own model of courage, NC-NAACP President and Moral Monday leader, Rev. Dr. William Barber, II, who will be inducted into this gallery of notable Americans.
Americans Who Tell the Truth is an extraordinarily powerful and inspiring civic engagement/traveling art exhibition featuring a diverse cross-section of 52 portraits of courageous Americans painted by artist Robert Shetterly. The portraits and accompanying narratives highlight citizens, who have or are currently, courageously addressing issues of social, environmental, and economic fairness. Shetterly has painted over 200 portraits and organizers are hoping this exhibition will become an annual event, bringing new portraits to be displayed each year.
The artist Robert Shetterly and Rev. Barber’s children, and family friend, civil rights attorney and activist, Al McSurely, will come together with our community to celebrate the portrait unveiling. The program will also feature music by Daniel Barber & Friends and the Inspirational Choir of Western Carolina University; entertainment by Barbara Bates Smith and Jeff Sebens; Youth Poetry by Soulspeak Asheville and creative hors d’oeuvres prepared by the chefs at the Green Opportunities Kitchen.
Tickets for the Gala Reception are available online at www.americanswhotellthetruth.eventbee.com or email awttnc@gmail.com. For more information or to volunteer during the exhibition, call Elaine at 828-273-1781. The exhibit will be featured at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. in downtown Asheville through November 7. For more, visit americanswhotellthetruth.org.
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