(SPENCERTOWN, N.Y.) – VETS: Portraits of Veterans of War, an exhibition of photographs by William Wright – himself a veteran of Desert Storm/Shield – will be on display at Spencertown Academy Arts Center from Saturday, October 19, 2013, through Sunday, December 15, 2013. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, October 19, from 4pm to 6pm, with catering by student chefs graduating from Culinary Command. Admission is free.

William Wright was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and graduated from the Colorado Art Institute in 2000. He is a father, a veteran of Desert Storm/Shield, and resident of Pittsfield, Mass. After working in the commercial photography industry for a decade, he embarked on a monumental artistic project that became VETS. The exhibition has traveled throughout the country, most notably exhibited at the Statehouse in Boston. Recent projects include Papermakers, a portrait series of the employees of Crane Paper Company and a new series titled The Answer is Never the Answer.

“The academy is proud to be hosting this wonderful event celebrating the men and women who serve us all — our vets. In keeping with our mission of presenting the arts and enriching the community, we’re delighted to be collaborating with Culinary Command’s Chef David Robinson and his students on the gallery reception. The academy is also honored to serve as the nonprofit fiscal agent for Culinary Command,” said Nick Van Alstine, president of the nonprofit arts center’s board of directors.

Founded by Chatham-based Chef David Robinson in 2010, Culinary Command is an elite and intensive nonprofit professional culinary training program for returning U.S. veterans, as well as active military to help them transition into restaurant, hotel, food service, and hospitality careers. Chef David created the curriculum including 200 recipes divided by techniques. Every year, he trains veterans and active U.S. military from all over the country in his kitchen in six-week cycles, giving them the foundation of good cooking.  His program includes workshops with former New York Times restaurant critic and former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, Ruth Reichl. He received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in July 2013 for his program.

Housed in a restored 1840s Greek Revival schoolhouse, Spencertown Academy Arts Center is located at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, N.Y.