Faculty Spotlight: Gary Oliveira

What is your official position at Green River College? How long have you been at the college?

“I teach black and white photography. I have been working here since 1992. It’s been 26 years, and I love it here.”

How did you come to teach at Green River?

“This was the first job I applied to after graduate school. I had moved to Seattle, and I applied for the job through [an ad in the newspaper].”

Is the subject you are teaching now the initial thing you set out to study? Did you ever change majors?

“Yes, this is the subject I initially set out to study. I have always loved photography, starting back at high school. I took a black and white photography class, and after that, I was hooked.”

What do you do when you are not at school? What are your hobbies?

“I love adventuring to the great outdoors. Anything that involves outdoor activities, I’m all for it. I like to hike, bike, and work outside in my garden. I also canoe—two of my favorite canoeing spots are Lake Washington and Banks Lake.”

What is the best experience you have had in one of your classes?

“For me, it is when students get inspired, when I see them get excited about the work that they have made. That for me is the best experience. I also keep in touch with students. To see that they got into a really good art school and the fact that they keep their passion for art going is amazing.”

What is your biggest accomplishment?

“Professionally, my biggest accomplishment was that I had a 20-25 piece solo show at Blue Sky Gallery, which is a well-respected gallery. Although this was a very big accomplishment of mine, I would say my greatest accomplishment in life is having my two kids. I have a daughter in high school and a son in middle school, and my daughter is very much into art—she loves to paint.”

What kind of activities do you wish students engage in?

“I would say try new things. For a student to succeed, trying to get excited about the subject matter is very important. Being legitimately excited to learn new things even if there is hard work that comes with it. Always attempt new things.”

What was your very first job?

“I have worked all my life, but [my] main job when I first moved out here was I worked at a custom photography studio. I worked with black and white photography enlargements, and then I started teaching here, and it became a full-time job.”

If you had the choice to be anything other than a teacher, what would you be?

“I would like to be a mountaineering guide or a travel guide. It would be another way to explore and take people on an adventure while traveling to different places. I love to travel, and I still have a lot more places on my list, one being Finland to see the fjords.”

If you had to pitch your class to a room full of students that had no idea what it is, what would you say to get them interested?

“Analogue photography forces you to slow down. It is very hands-on, but it is also magical. When you see your picture come to life and develop, it’s all worth it.”