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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

Long Beach IB Science Students Explore Engineering and Biomedical Careers

Long Beach High School students enrolled in Dr. Tornabeneโ€™s IB Biology and Mr. Vaethโ€™s IB Physics classes. thumbnail268843

Long Beach High School students enrolled in Dr. Tornabene’s IB Biology and Mr. Vaeth’s IB Physics classes recently took part in an engaging presentation highlighting careers in engineering and biomedical sciences. The presentation was led by John Brownell, Co-President of the Biomedical Engineering Society at Hofstra University.

During his visit, Mr. Brownell introduced students to a wide range of engineering disciplines, including biomedical, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, and discussed the diverse career pathways available to engineering graduates. He also shared insights into engineering-related professions, typical salary ranges, and the academic and experiential opportunities offered through Hofstra’s engineering programs.

In addition, Mr. Brownell offered practical advice on how high school students can begin preparing for college and engineering majors, emphasizing the importance of strong coursework in science and mathematics, participation in hands-on learning experiences, and exploration of personal interests.

The presentation provided the IB science students with a valuable real-world perspective on how their current studies connect to future college and career opportunities, while encouraging them to think broadly about pathways within STEM fields.

 

Date Added: 1/30/2026

Long Beach High School Alumni Day 2026

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Long Beach High School sophomores, juniors and seniors were invited to attend a panel presentation and discussion with members of the Class of 2025 alumni for the school’s annual Alumni Day that was held on Jan. 9. This year’s alumni panel included the following members: Angel Garcia, Isabella Alley, Gabe Asuncion, Ally Ayestas, Riley Barshak, Daniel Brenner, Jackson Carroll, Keyi Chen, Ariana Jara, Hailey Pilch, Stephania Robinson (MC) and Haylee Senter.

The former Long Beach High School students gave current students a first-hand accounting of the college process and college life. Alumni Day is hosted by the school’s counseling department and takes place in the school’s auditorium giving current students an opportunity to participate in a candid question and answer session to discuss post-graduation life and discuss all topics related to college life and academic success.  Some of those questions included, “How do you pick college classes, what happens if you don’t like your roommate and how do you prioritize your day without getting overwhelmed.”  

In addition to sitting on the panel, alumni visited throughout the week and presented to classes on various topics related to college; transition to college; how to succeed in high school. “It is so great when our graduates come back to share their experiences with the current students,” said Long Beach Coordinator of School Counseling Jaclyn McMahon. “The college application process can be stressful, and our seniors receive advice from parents, counselors and teachers, but it has a different impact when it comes from their peers.” 
 

Long Beach High School Welcomes Adelphi Professor

A group of students sit in an auditorium, attentively listening to a person speaking at a podium. The room has a wooden-paneled wall and a stage. thumbnail268670
Long Beach High School students recently had the opportunity to meet Adelphi University Professor Robert Goldberg. Professor Goldberg shared insights from his distinguished career in finance and academia and spoke about his senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital, his work co-founding the debt business at WR Hambrecht, and his pioneering efforts in internet-based bond auctions.

Students from IB Business and Fashion Marketing attended the session and were highly engaged throughout. The informal exchange between the students and Professor Goldberg was engaging and enabled students to gain valuable insights and practical advice from the discussion.

LBHS Students Share Book Recommendations

Graphic for The Gift of Reading - Long Beach HS Reading Recommendations 2025 thumbnail268639
Long Beach High School Students were excited to share their recommendations for books to read over the holiday break.  Click here to read recommendations.
 

 

Date Added: 12/22/2025

Long Beach Students Participate in Business Olympics

A group of nine young adults in formal attire stand in a library, each holding a certificate. thumbnail268605
This year’s Business Olympics competition challenged teams to step into the role of business consultants, selecting an existing local business in the Long Beach, Point Lookout, Atlantic Beach, Lido Beach, or Island Park communities and developing a proposal to enhance its operations and market performance. Students showcase their skills in research, presentation, and creative marketing, applying real-world business concepts to local enterprises.

Congratulations to Sydney Brandt, Winter Collinson, Avery Schab, Jack Klang, Shane Haglich, Meadow Prafder, Alanna Damiani, Vanessa Leddy, Elicah Gabriel, Natalie Kwon, Kylie Duncan, and Rylee Albanese for their hard work, professionalism, and creativity. Their efforts reflect the strong academic and career-readiness opportunities within our district, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments!