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PVHS Digital Media
Pioneer Valley High School · Santa Maria, CA
 Meet Our Teachers

PVHS Digital Media

Our
Teachers

Every Digital Media teacher is a CTE teacher with real industry experience: 35 combined years of commercial and fine art work, brought into the classroom.

Chris Silva

Photography 1 & 2 · Digital Arts 1

Chris Silva

14 years industry experience

Chris Silva is a fine art photographer and visual arts educator based in Santa Maria, California. He teaches Photography and Digital Arts at Pioneer Valley High School. Working mostly in black and white, across film, digital, and hybrid workflows, he makes documentary work, environmental portraits, and experimental images rooted in place and lived experience.

Capturing light since age 13 on 35mm film, Chris studied Applied Arts and Design at Allan Hancock College and earned a BA in Photography from Southern New Hampshire University. He co-owns Cris & Laura Inspired EYE Images and co-founded Light Writerz, the PVHS photography club.

www.creativesilva.com

Laura Garcia

Photography 1

Laura Garcia

14 years industry experience

Laura Garcia is a professional photographer, photography educator, and co-founder of Light Writerz. Laura co-owns Cris & Laura Inspired EYE Images, bringing years of professional industry experience to the next generation of Light Writers.

As a Light Writerz advisor, Laura helps students build the discipline, technical skill, and creative confidence it takes to make photographs with intention.

www.chrisandlaura.com

Rileigh Mankin

Digital Arts 1 & 2

Rileigh Mankin

7 years industry experience

Hi there, nice to meet you! I’m Rileigh. I’m a tenacious designer who specializes in brand identity, apparel design, and pattern design. I thrive under pressure and strive to create meaningful designs through authentic storytelling.

Outside of design, I love exploring and competing. You can find me traveling, camping, hiking, or challenging friends and family to a new board game.

I studied at Corvin University and Laguna College of Art and Design, where I earned my bachelor’s degree, and I now teach Digital Arts at Pioneer Valley High School.

35
Combined years in industry
14
Chris Silva
14
Laura Garcia
7
Rileigh Mankin

Want to join a class?

Photography 1 and Digital Arts 1 are open to every PVHS student, no experience needed, and they count toward the a-g “F” fine art requirement. Ask your counselor to add one to your schedule.

Explore the program