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  • Photo of Holly Ballenger
    Holly Ballenger
    Visual Arts
    Visual Arts Instructor & Department Chair
    2020
    805.687.2461 x0242
    Georgia State University - M.A. Ed
    The University of Georgia - B.F.A.
    Bio
     
    Holly is native to Atlanta where she attended a small private school that fostered her love for independent schools, such as Laguna Blanca. 

    While attending The University of Georgia, she studied Studio Arts and Art Education with an emphasis in Ceramics. Her interest in art and culture lead her to study abroad in both Italy and Costa Rica. She has traveled extensively and thrives on adventures. She enjoys taking photographs of nature and design. 

    Holly taught high school art for ten years in Georgia where she led service trips, coached soccer, and hosted an annual art gala. During that time, she earned a Masters in Art Education from Georgia State University, where she focused on creating watercolors and other 2D media. 

    Playing competitive soccer most days growing up, she developed a love for athletics. This passion for movement has continued to grow ever since. She has competed in many Ironman and marathon events. She loves to hike, swim, paddle, and be near the water. Holly is excited to be part of the thriving Laguna Blanca community and savors every moment in beautiful Santa Barbara!
  • Photo of Blake Dorfman
    Blake Dorfman
    English, Elective, Visual Arts
    English Instructor & Dean of Students
    2012
    805.724.4141
    University of Southern California - M.Ed.
    University of Southern California - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Blake's work as Upper School Dean of Students is centered around incorporating the school's core values of Scholarship, Balance, Community, and Character into everyday student life at Laguna.

    A proud Laguna alum and recipient of our 2019 Faculty Excellence Award, Blake has taught a wide array of courses in his years at the school, including English, Geography, Digital Arts, and Critical Thinking. As advisor to our award-winning yearbook, La Honda, Blake helps his staff see the importance of documenting the school's history with creativity and accuracy in mind. He co-developed the school's longstanding Entrepreneurship curriculum along with Paul Chiment, and taught it for many years at the Middle School before moving to the Upper School course. 

    A former sports writer and broadcaster, Blake remains an avid fan of USC and Raiders football, as well as Dodgers baseball. He loves coaching our Middle School volleyball teams, playing beach volleyball, and spending as much time in the ocean as possible.

    He and his wife, Laura, love continuing to find new ways to enjoy Santa Barbara along with their two daughters, Emiko and Juni.
  • Photo of Douglas Uyesaka
    Douglas Dug Uyesaka
    Performing Arts, Visual Arts
    Visual Art Instructor
    2000
    805.687.2461 x0224
    Fresno City College - A.A.
    University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Uyesaka's quizzical outlook on life and love of the arts germinated while growing up in the 1950s and 60s in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. Living out in the boondocks provided many, many hours to roam the country side and appreciate the slow side of life and fueled his passion to draw and make “stuff” from his imagination. Dug pursued painting and silk screen while at UCSB and went on to study graphic design and multimedia at SBCC. He also worked at a local film production company providing graphic design and media management. Dug has been a working artist and involved in the community arts scene since the 1970s. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious LBS Faculty Excellence Award and a William T. Colville Foundation grant for the arts. In 2010, he was the recipient of The Arts Fund 2010 Individual Artist Award for Assemblage and Collage. “Being able to nurture and help facilitate our students' imaginations and artistic talents here at Laguna and in the community is a gift. It fuels my spirit and hopefully enriches their lives forever. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
LOWER SCHOOL
260 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara CA 93108
Telephone 805.687.2461
Fax 805.695.8143
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL
4125 Paloma Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Telephone 805.687.2461
Fax 805.687.2461

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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.
LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL  |   4125 PALOMA DRIVE   SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA  93110  |   805.687.2461