KENNEBUNK – Internationally known photographer William Wegman was joined by state art and transportation leaders at the Turnpike’s newly constructed southbound service plaza Thursday to celebrate the unveiling of the first of three 5- by 25-foot murals featuring his famous Weimaraner dogs. The second mural is installed at the northbound service plaza in Kennebunk and the third will be installed at a planned plaza in West Gardiner.

William Wegman, a part-time resident of Rangeley, began his artistic career as an art teacher before moving beyond painting towards video and photography. It was in 1970 when Wegman acquired Man Ray, the Weimaraner dog that soon became the focal point of Wegman’s photographic work for 12 years.

Soon, using images of his growing family of Weimaraners, Wegman began producing a series of books for both children and adults, before beginning work on film creation and video segments. Wegman produced video segments for “Saturday Night Live,” and his work appeared regularly on “Sesame Street.”

More recently Wegman’s photographs, videotapes and paintings have appeared internationally and nationally within countless museums and galleries.