Veterans Workshop Series
“This program completely changed the trajectory of my life. I cannot express my gratitude enough.”
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
If you’re a U.S. military veteran living in Colorado and looking for a new way to tell your story, the Veterans Workshop Series was created with you in mind. Presented by the Colorado Photographic Arts Center in partnership with the Veterans’ Arts Council at VFW Post 1, this free, six-month program gives you the tools, guidance, and support to build a serious photography practice—no previous experience required.
Photography becomes a mission of its own: learning new skills, pushing yourself creatively, and seeing the world through a different lens. Through hands-on workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and group critiques, you’ll create a meaningful series of photographs that reflects your experiences, interests, and point of view. You choose your subject. You shape the story. We’re here to help you bring it to life.
Salvation Through Friendship ©Jason Alfaro
For many participants, the process also becomes a source of healing—offering space to reflect, reconnect, and make sense of experiences that can be hard to put into words.
The program ends with a public exhibition at CPAC and a professionally published catalog that features each participant.
The Veterans Workshop Series is free and open to all veterans in Colorado. We keep the group small so you get the attention, mentorship, and camaraderie you deserve. It’s the only program of its kind in the state, built specifically to support veterans through creativity, connection, and the power of art.
PARTNERS
We are grateful to the Veterans Arts Council (VAC) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1 (VFW Post 1) for its guidance and support of the Series. The VAC manages the VFW Post 1 Art Gallery and mentors artists of all mediums who have served in the Armed Forces. VFW Post 1 is the first and oldest VFW Post in the world. The Veterans Workshop Series was also developed with input from two local veteran-led organizations, Art of War Project and Task Force ISO.
HOW TO APPLY
The application window for the 2026 Veterans Workshop Series is closed.
EXHIBITIONS
Beyond the Frame – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 9 – Feb. 21, 2026
Featuring Jennifer Adair, Joshua Bridger, Brianna Corcoran, Harold Roberts FSAScot, Richard Rock, Vanessa Savas, Gary R. Stefanski, and Terrell R. Webb M.D.
Through Their Eyes – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 17 – Feb. 22, 2025
Featuring Glenn C. Cole, Todd Darnell, Herb Green, Valery Lugo, Michael Moore, Dick Reznik, Enrique Gautier, Dwight Taylor, and Kevin Weber
Through Their Lens – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 12 – Feb. 17, 2024
Featuring Jason Alfaro, Bob Grimmer, Mike Lowell, Ozell McKinney, Chris Morrow, Gurney Pearsall, Amaury PerezPulido, Cherie Sutton, Ray Trujillo, and Ken Tschappat
A Different Perspective – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 13 – Feb. 11, 2023
Featuring Rich Cancellare, Maggie Cubbler, Aaron Middleton, Eleanor Nesim, and Keal Vigil
Relational Ground – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 14 – Feb. 12, 2022
Featuring Richard Caldwell, Clifford Carter, John Dianni, Todd Fichtemaier, Amy Gamm, Maureen Hanrahan, YAh Kadesh, Mike Teubner, and Devon Wiggers
Vantage Point – Personal Projects by Veterans
Jan. 8 – Feb. 13, 2021
Featuring Michael Benton, Jess Bidwell, Ronald Cable, Bob Looser, Lee Ann Montoya, Andrew Morris, Charles Peters, Lourdes Sanchez Wise, Don Stine, and Brandon Tennery
The Subjective Lens – Through the Eyes of Veterans
Jan. 10 – Feb. 15, 2020
Featuring Tom Arnold, Michael Ciavatta, Hank Fanelli, Raymond McCoy, Marie Miller
Yvens Alex Saintil, Adrienne Sommers, Carl Steitz, Tony Taylor and Cypriane Williams
Personal Visions: Projects by Veterans
Jan. 11 – Feb. 9, 2019
Featuring Amy Forestieri, Donald M. Gardner, Elane Graves, Gregory Hall and Chuck Rasco
Internal Narratives: Projects by Veterans
Nov. 11 – Dec. 30, 2017
Featuring Tylor Belshe, Skip Bethurum, Corina Cavaness, Cath Colwell, Wayne Gortmaker, Amber Hotzfeld, Marla Keown, Jeff Mallo, Joe McDonald, and Darren Schultz
Thank You
The program is funded with generous support from the Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation, the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, the WC & EJ Thornton Foundation, and individual donors, with support from Sony, Metropolitan Frame Company, Digital Silver Imaging, and Hahnemühle.
