Jay Olinger (she/they)
PNW – Based artist & schoolar
Jay here! I am a queer, neurodivergent, interdisciplinary artist & scholar living in the Pacific Northwest. I teach Art History and Comic Studies at Portland Community College, and in the Comics Studies at Portland State University. Alongside teaching, I present research at international conferences, curate group exhibitions, table at comic conventions and craft shows, select for a radio program, and create short comics.
In my classes, I focus on the intersection of Fine Arts and Pop Culture. You can spot artworks and structures in your everyday life, whether driving around the Pacific Northwest, planning your next vacation, or indulging in the latest streaming TV series or video game. This approach makes my classes accessible to Art and Architecture majors as well as those pursuing other disciplines, as Fine Art exists beyond the confines of the gallery!
As an instructor, I strive to embody what Zaretta Hammond calls a “warm demander” — someone who shows personal warmth towards students while maintaining high academic standards. This means I design assignments that allow students to explore and enhance their strengths within a structured framework, emphasizing quality work completed on time. I ensure clarity by opening online and remote courses at least one week before the start of each term, enabling students to review the calendar and syllabus before making enrollment decisions.
In my teaching, I am committed to advancing quality online education in art history. I regularly participate in professional development workshops with Quality Matters and the Online Learning Consortium to stay current with best practices. My interest in interdisciplinary and multimodal education leads me to contribute actively to the Collaborative Teaching Faculty Learning Committee, the Modalities Committee within the Art Department, and the Accessible Technology Committee at PCC. Drawing from my experiences as a queer, disabled student, I integrate these perspectives into my teaching.
Students in my courses receive comprehensive resources, optional readings, and grading rubrics for full transparency on assignments. I provide timely feedback to ensure thorough comprehension of course content. I maintain regular communication through weekly emails and announcements on the D2L page, send course progress notifications throughout the term, and keep the class informed about key institutional dates by referencing the Academic Calendar.
Questions?
Feel free to contact me via email at jay.olinger@pcc.edu