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Long Beach High School

Visual Arts Department

Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts: Julia Lang-Shapiro

Office Phone: (516) 897-6500
   

 Faculty
    E. Fox              
    J. Harvey 
    S. Kornacki
    A. Pulice
    S. Presberg
    L. Rilling

 

About the Visual Arts

The visual arts are unique languages and symbol systems for communicating ideas, feelings, and different ways of knowing about oneself and the world.  The visual arts provide a record of civilization through diverse cultural artifacts that reflect aspects of human thought, action, and experience, and assist students in making connections across subject matter. Importantly, the visual arts develop essential workplace qualities of teamwork, collaboration, flexibility, and appreciation and respect for others’ ideas and personal expressions.

The visual arts engage the whole individual in the acts of creating and responding involving the intellectual, the intuitive, the emotional, and the physical being. The richness of the visual arts and its contribution to thinking and learning demand that every student have access to the knowledge, skills, and understandings of visual arts education. 

The Visual/Media Arts Program goals include having students experience the full range of the visual arts with an emphasis on the NYS Standards for the Arts.

• Developing a lifelong curiosity about the arts, and understanding that art transcends time is one of the Common Core Standards in the Arts.

• Through the process of art making, the study of art pieces, and art movements, the student will be able to make informed hypotheses about art and how it relates to common core disciplines and their world.

• The student will also understand that art is a human endeavor that reflects the values that are important to cultures, society, and individuals. 

Art is the lens in which we can learn not only about ourselves but also learn about the past, engage in present day society and collaborate with other individuals.

The varied curriculum of Long Beach High School Visual and Media Arts department provides students with an array of opportunities to develop their curiosity for the arts and understand how art not only relates to them personally but to the world around them as well. 

Our goal is to continue to provide opportunities for all learners to be able to develop the essential 21st century skills- the 4Cs- critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity- within our programs and help them make connections (the 5th C) to the other courses that they are studying.  

 

 

Visual Arts Sequences

 

Fine Arts

Foundation Course: Studio in Art

Drawing & Painting I

Drawing & Painting II

IB Visual Arts SL/HL or Advanced Visual Studies

 

Media Arts

Foundation Course: Media Arts or Studio Art

Digital Design I/Digital Design II

or

Photography I/Photography II
Advanced Visual Studies or IB Visual Arts SL/HL

 

Creative Crafts

Foundation Course: Creative Crafts or Studio in Art

Ceramics I

Advanced Ceramics

Advanced Visual Studies or IB Visual Arts SL/HL

 

Current News

LBHS Celebrates Ten Semifinalists in Prestigious Science and Engineering Competitions

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Long Beach High School is proud to announce that ten exceptional research students have advanced to the semifinal round of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) and/or the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF).

The students earning this distinguished recognition are Sydney Bergstein, Vaughn Briseno, Cassel Koss, Vanessa Maltez, Sydney Olivo, Kate Ragona, Karina Rios, Victoria Sinnona, Sophia Stevenson, and Rylee Varian.

Advancing to the semifinals represents a significant academic achievement and reflects the exceptional originality, depth, and rigor of each student’s independent research. Both LISEF and NYSSEF provide young scientists with the opportunity to present their investigations before professional researchers, engineers, and industry experts. Participants compete for scholarships, special awards, and the opportunity to advance to higher levels of competition.

Director of Science for Long Beach Public Schools Cristie Tursi expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments. “We are incredibly excited to support these outstanding semifinalists as they continue to represent our community with innovation, dedication, and academic excellence,” she said. “Furthermore, we are so grateful for all Ms. Kristen Conklin has done as our Science Research teacher to facilitate our student researchers. This would not be possible without her perseverance and fortitude!”    

Long Beach High School congratulates these talented scholars on their remarkable achievement and looks forward to cheering them on as they continue their scientific journeys.
 

Date Added: 3/11/2026

LBHS Students Explore Future Opportunities at College Fair Hosted by SUNY Maritime College

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The Long Beach High School Counseling Department recently accompanied 10th and 11th grade students to an engaging and informative College Fair hosted on the campus of the State University of New York Maritime College.

At the event, students had the opportunity to connect directly with more than 40 college representatives from a wide range of institutions. They asked thoughtful questions about academic programs, campus life, admissions requirements, and potential career pathways. The Long Beach students gained valuable insight into the many options available to them after high school.

In addition to exploring the college fair, students took a campus tour, allowing them to experience firsthand what life on a college campus can look like. Walking through academic buildings and student spaces gave the Long Beach students a glimpse into the college environment and daily student life.

By providing early exposure to higher education settings and facilitating meaningful interactions with admissions professionals, the Counseling Department continues to empower students to make informed and confident decisions about their post-secondary plans.

Date Added: 3/4/2026

LBHS Student Art Selected for Prestigious Heckscher Museum Exhibition

Long Beach High School is proud to announce that senior Lyla Pinto and freshman Kaylah Richardson have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the Heckscher Museum of Art. thumbnail269075

Long Beach High School is proud to announce that senior Lyla Pinto and freshman Kaylah Richardson have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the Heckscher Museum of Art’s prestigious high school juried exhibition, Long Island’s Best: Young Artists 2026.

This year’s competition drew a record breaking 402 student submissions from across Long Island. After a highly competitive juried review process, only 84 works were selected for inclusion in the final exhibition making this recognition an extraordinary honor for Lyla and Kaylah.

The exhibition will be on view from March 29 through May 3 at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, showcasing some of the most exceptional high school artwork from across the region.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Long Island’s Best has been a cornerstone of the Museum’s educational programming for three decades. Over the years, the exhibition has highlighted the creative achievements of more than 2,000 high school students.

“We are incredibly proud of Lyla and Kaylah for this outstanding accomplishment,” said Long Beach Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts Julia Lang-Shapiro. “Their selection reflects not only their individual talent and dedication, but also the strength of our arts program.”

Long Beach High School also extends congratulations to art teachers Eric Fox and Joanne Harvey for their guidance and support throughout the creative process. The success of these young artists is a testament to the dedication, opportunity, and artistic excellence fostered within the Long Beach Media, Visual and Performing Arts Department.

 

Date Added: 3/4/2026

LBHS Theatre Department Presents Shrek the Musical

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The Long Beach High School Theatre Department proudly presents Shrek the Musical, a hilarious and heartwarming stage adaptation of the beloved animated film. 

Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience filled with laughter, adventure, and a powerful message about acceptance and self-discovery. Don’t miss this spectacular production of Shrek the Musical at Long Beach High School!

Performances will take place March 12–14 in the Long Beach High School Auditorium.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book by William Steig, Shrek the Musical follows the story of a grumpy ogre, Shrek, who loves his solitary swamp life—until it’s invaded by a parade of banished fairy tale creatures. Determined to reclaim his home, Shrek strikes a deal with the diminutive Lord Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona in exchange for his swamp. Along the way, he is joined by his loyal and lovable sidekick, Donkey, and discovers that true friendship and love can be found in the most unexpected places. As Fiona harbors a secret of her own, audiences are reminded that beauty comes from within and that happily-ever-after may look a little different than expected.

This year’s production is directed by Alex Austein, with Musical Director Michael Capobianco and Conductor Leigh Yazak leading the orchestra. Christianne Donohue serves as Choreographer, and Scott Scheinson joins the team as Production Designer. Together with a talented cast and crew of Long Beach High School students, the creative team brings vibrant energy, imaginative staging, and memorable musical numbers to this family-friendly production.

Featured in leading roles are LBHS seniors Luke Morita as Shrek, Reilly Sanfilippo as Princess Fiona, and Michael Macaluso Vosganian as Lord Farquaad, alongside LBHS junior Ronin Morita as Donkey. Their performances highlight the depth of talent and dedication within the Long Beach High School theatre program.

Performance Schedule:

* Thursday, March 12 – 7:00 PM (Opening Night)
* Friday, March 13 – 7:00 PM
* Saturday, March 14 – 3:00 PM (Matinee)

Please note that the Saturday performance has been rescheduled to a 3:00 PM matinee to better accommodate our younger audience members and families.

Click here to purchase tickets online.
For special seating needs, please call 516-897-6500.

 

 

Date Added: 3/2/2026

 

LBHS Literary Magazine Earns National Recognition

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Long Beach High School’s student-produced literary magazine, Fragments, has received significant national recognition for excellence in writing, design, and editorial leadership.

Fragments was awarded a Superior ranking in the 2025 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program, an honor given to student publications that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, design, and editorial vision.

In addition, Fragments has been named a 2025 CSPA Crown Award Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Only 221 publications worldwide were selected for this distinction, and finalists will receive either a Gold or Silver Crown at Columbia University this March.

These honors reflect the dedication, creativity, and leadership of the Long Beach High School student editors, particularly Editors-in-Chief Elliot Biern and Shea Rehnback, as well as the contributions of all student writers and staff. Their work continues to exemplify the strength of Long Beach High School’s commitment to student voice and the arts.
 

 

 

Date Added: 2/11/2026