Photos lace the walls of  the Fort Steilacoom Fine Arts Gallery as students and faculty arrive for the opening of Matthew Wuscher’s exhibit.

The theme of the exhibit is “Water is Life.” All but one of the photos had some type of water in it; lakes, oceans,  waterfalls, and rivers. The one photo that did not have water in it was a photo of a field and clouds. One can assume that it is the beginning of rain clouds, which ties it into the rest of the photos.

The photos were laid out with the natural landscapes on the outside walls moving in towards the man made landscapes. Each of the photos were printed on a white sheet of metal. This technique made each of the contrasting colors pop out even more. These photos are now more durable compared to regular printed photo paper, allowing the photographs to be shipped to other galleries without worry of glass breaking or paper ripping.

Matthew Wuscher, photojournalist and Media Producer for Pierce College, has been working here for 5 years. Previously he worked at TV stations as a photojournalist covering everything from sports to crime and everything in between

“I worked on these images for about 2.5 years. All of the photos are from Washington and Oregon. I been doing photography all my life.” Wuscher said.

As each person circled each photo, they discussed what the photos meant to them or complimented the work that was put into it.

“I think they are really beautiful,” Heather Spivey, Pierce College student, said. “They capture the nature part of cities we don’t see too much or recognize. I really like the waterfalls and forest. It’s a nice capture of the elegance.”

Other guest included faculty from all over campus.  One person stood out above the rest, Lynn Wuscher, Matthew Wuscher’s mother.

“I could not be more proud of my son, these are gorgeous pictures. I dragged him into photography and he has left me in the dust,” Lynn Wuscher said of her son gallery and career. “It’s a talent. It’s being able to look at a picture ainic Wilkersinnd compose it.  There is a whole lot more it than just a pretty picture.”

The gallery will be up until March 27. in the Olympic building.