Terrence Lamb, of Hagerstown, Maryland, talks with photographer Kimo Williams, right, at Williams' exhibit, "Wintertide on the Potomac," on Dec. 20. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For some, winter is a time for warm blankets and hot cider. For others, it is a time to venture out into the cold and capture unexpected moments of beauty in the ice and snow. And, for KimoPics art gallery owner Kimo Williams, winter is a time to display said art.

KimoPics’ winter exhibit, “Wintertide on the Potomac,” features over a dozen of Williams’ winter photographs, displaying snowy landscapes and close-up photos of ice under the Potomac River, from this and last winter. The exhibit is open now through March, according to Williams.

“All of the pictures are from the Potomac River, sort of in my back yard,” Williams said, mentioning his seven-acre-wide back yard looks out onto the river. “I went out my back door, and took these pictures. Most of these are in the Shepherdstown woods.

“One reason I put on this show, is to advance the idea of the beauty of Shepherdstown, to redefine what beauty is, or is not,” Williams said. “There’s more beauty that we can find, that is not always a sunset or a bird flying off with a fish.

“To me, art, from a photography standpoint, is just the start of the creative process. How you make it art, is how you present it, how you alter it technologically if you want to do so, or how you frame it,” Williams said, as he pointed out examples of creative ideas he used in his photographs.

Williams, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, uses the proceeds from his gallery to benefit the United States Veterans Arts Program, which Williams founded with the help of his wife and fellow veteran, Carol. The gallery only features works by veterans, which Williams hopes will encourage the public to understand veterans are complex human beings.

“Our mission is to encourage the world to look at us, not putting us all in one little basket as heroes and warriors, but to look at our entire lives,” Williams said. “I think it is important for people to know your story through your art.”

According to Williams, one of his favorite things about running the gallery, is getting to meet people and share his passion for the Arts with them.

“This is why I do this, because I meet so many interesting people,” Williams said, after meeting Marine veteran Terrence Lamb, of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Lamb, who is also a wood turner, said he not only appreciated the gallery’s mission, but also enjoyed Williams’ art.

“He has an unusual gift when I look at what he takes,” Lamb said. “He has a wonderful eye — to look at a picture and pull that out.”

KimoPics gallery is located at 133 West German Street, and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. To learn more about the gallery’s beneficiary organization, USVAP, visit usvap.org.