Westport, NY – Join John Brown Lives! (JBL!) for three screenings of the hour-long documentary Truth Tellers. The film provides a compelling look into the work of Americans Who Tell the Truth artist Robert Shetterly and the inspiring lives of his portrait subjects. Shetterly has painted over 280 American truth-tellers, from John Brown and Harriet Tubman to Alice P. Green and Rev. Lennox Yearwood, and beyond. 28 portraits from his series are currently on display at the John Brown Farm State Historic site until November 1.
The screening dates and locations are:
- Thursday, September 18, 7pm at Lake Flower Landing, Saranac Lake
- Sunday, September 28, 4-6pm at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Lake Placid
- Sunday, October 12, 4-6pm at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Lake Placid
The portrait gallery will be moved from the John Brown Farm to Paul Smith’s VIC where it will be on view from November 2 through the end of the month. On November 21, portrait subject, author and climate activist Bill McKibben will speak about his new book “Here Comes the Sun : A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization.” All are encouraged to come to the VIC early and view Shetterly’s portraits.
The screenings and book event are free and open to all, though JBL! welcomes a suggested donation of $5 per adult. These events are made possible in part with funding from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and individual donors.
For more information, contact JBL! at info@johnbrownlives.org or 518-744-7112.
About Paul Smith’s College:
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
About John Brown Lives:
Founded in 1999, John Brown Lives! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring Brown’s legacy and promoting social justice and human rights through community engagement, humanities programs, arts, and education. The official New York State Friends of the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, JBL! sponsors special events, exhibits and installations, and more to help promote, preserve, and interpret the site for the public.
The John Brown Farm State Historic Site, located two miles from downtown Lake Placid, is the home and burial site of famed abolitionist John Brown. Today, the site provides tours and interpretation on the life of John Brown and introduces visitors to the 1846 “scheme of justice and benevolence” that attracted Black New York families to settle an Adirondack community that came to be called “Timbuctoo.” For more information, please visit: https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/johnbrownfarm/amenities.aspx).
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.
Media Contacts:
Emily Roberts
PRforPaulSmiths@bospar.com
Martha Swan
info@johnbrownlives.org
