PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY TOVO

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Photographic Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching life through the photographic arts, has announced its next major exhibition, “Never Forget:

Every Day Is Veterans Day, Portraits of American Veterans.”

The timely exhibition opens with a free reception on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Photo Centre, at the City Center municipal complex, 415 Clematis St. in downtown West Palm Beach.

The patriotic exhibition, set to run through Dec. 30, features photographers Mickey Strand and Jerry Tovo,”

both also veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. Navy vet and combat photographer Strand is exhibiting stunning black-and-white portraits of World War II veterans, visually capturing the humility and grace of “the Greatest Generation” while collecting their stories and memories before they passed. Strand served for 24 years and retired from active duty in 2009. He is now a celebrated professional photographer specializing in portrait essays.

As part of the exhibition, Strand will teach two workshops at the Photo Centre: “PhotoShop for Photographers” on Nov. 8-9, and “The Meaningful Portrait,”

Nov. 12-14.

Tovo, a drill sergeant during the Vietnam era who “remembers soldiers before they were faceless and forgotten, ravaged by the perils of life on the street,” has traveled the country to document their lives and raise national awareness about the plight of homeless veterans.

“On any given night, more than 60,000 U.S. veterans can be found living on the streets or in shelters. More than 100,000 veterans will find themselves homeless at some point during the year,” said Tovo. “Statistics don’t have faces. This (exhibition) shows the faces behind the statistics.”

Tovo will give a lecture on his photographs at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, just prior to the exhibition’s opening reception at 6 p.m. Both Strand and Tovo will attend the free reception.

The Photo Centre is located at the downtown City Center municipal complex, 415 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday.

For other information call 561-253-2600 or visit workshop.org or fotofusion.org.