BEYOND THE FRAME | PERSONAL PROJECTS BY VETERANS

JANUARY 9 – FEBRUARY 21, 2026

Opening Reception at Colorado Photographic Arts Center

1200 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203

Saturday, January 10, 2026

5 – 8 pm

All events are free and open to the public

Beyond the Frame | Personal Projects by Veterans features a compelling collection of fine art photography created by 8 Colorado artists who have served in the U.S. military. This unique exhibition is the culmination of CPAC’s Veterans Workshop Series, a six-month program of advanced photography courses provided to participants free of charge. Each project is intensely personal, reflecting each artist’s inspirations, life experiences, creativity, and point of view. 

Alongside these powerful stories, CPAC proudly presents photographs by 16 former graduates of the Veterans Workshop Series who continue to pursue photography professionally. 

Copies of the exhibition catalog can be purchased on Blurb for $16. 

(Pictured Above: Republic P-47D-40RA Thunderbolt, detail, by Terrell R. Webb, M.D.)

EXHIBITING VETERANS

Jennifer Adair, Joshua Bridger, Brianna Corcoran, Harold Roberts FSAScot, Richard Rock, Vanessa Savas, Gary R. Stefanski, and Terrell R. Webb M.D.

EXHIBITING ALUMNI

Richard Caldwell, Rich Cancellare, Glenn C. Cole, Don Gardner, Elane Graves, Herbert Green, Bob Looser, Jeff Mallo, Aaron Middleton, COL(ret) Gurney F. Pearsall Jr. M.D., Chuck Rasco, Dick Reznik, Yvens Alex Saintil, Cherie Sutton, Ken Tschappat, and Kevin Weber

Director’s Statement

Launched in August 2017, the Colorado Photographic Arts Center’s Veterans Workshop Series was created to offer local military Veterans with a passion for photography meaningful access to advanced photographic education—at no cost to them. Over the past nine years, 76 Veterans have completed the program, made possible through the collective support of CPAC and its partners, and driven by the dedication and creativity of the Veterans who participate.

Over the past six months, participants have refined their technical skills, developed cohesive bodies of work, built professional portfolios, and learned to articulate their artistic practices. Their final projects will be showcased in a public exhibition in the David & Laura Merage Foundation Gallery at CPAC, on view from January 9 – February 21, 2026.

Each artist was encouraged to pursue a personal project and explore a narrative extending beyond a single image. The resulting work spans a diverse range of subjects, each a deeply personal reflection of the artist’s individual vision. For example, Jennifer Adair’s photographs capture women’s motorcycle groups that embody camaraderie and empowerment, while Harold Robert’s portraits delve into his Scottish heritage and Colorado’s cultural connections to Scotland.

Each year, I am inspired by the remarkable growth of these artists and the evolution of their creative voices.

– Samantha Johnston
Executive Director & Curator, Colorado Photographic Arts Center 

2025 VETERANS CLASS PREVIEW

ALUMNI PREVIEW 

Special Thanks

Our Veterans Workshop Series began from a partnership with three Denver-based veterans organizations, including Task Force ISO, VFW Post 1, and The Art of War Project. Funding for the 2025 program was generously provided by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation, Prevent & Prevail, the WC & EJ Thornton Foundation, and individuals, with additional support provided by Digital Silver Imaging, Hahnemühle, Metropolitan Frame Company, and Sony.