This series spotlights arts organizations, collectives, and initiatives with good causes at their core. Keep up the good work.

Adapting to civilian life after a career in the military can be a challenge. After years of service, veterans often need guidance and training to begin careers in an entirely new field. For military veterans looking to build careers as photographers, education and mentorship resources are often prohibitively expensive. To help Veterans find their footing as photographers, Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) in Denver created the Veterans Workshop Series, a rigorous, free education program that gives local military veterans an accessible pathway to the professional photography world. 

Veterans who may be struggling to articulate their ideas and emotions are provided a safe, accessible, and positive way to express creativity, gain confidence, integrate with society, and build community. Over five months, students participate in in-depth workshops and mentoring sessions to develop a formal portfolio. They are taught technical skills, small business marketing, and gain exhibition experience. To maximize individual attention, classes are limited to 14 students per session. The program culminates in a public exhibition at Colorado Photographic Arts Center and a published catalogue. After graduation, alumni stay involved with their newfound community as mentors and members of CPAC. 

To date, 25 local veterans have completed the program. An anonymous 2018 graduate credits the workshop series as one that, “removes the illusion that we are all alone in our struggles. It provides a safe way to connect, heal, and move forward.”