If you have taken a good look at the art gallery in the cafeteria, you might have wondered how these paintings were produced, envisioned creating one of those works yourself, or been merely impressed by the artists’ talent. The gallery resembles that of a neoteric museum with an exquisitely minimalist ambience. It is often where students hold fundraisers and is probably marveled at by many passersby, especially visitors.

The pictures in the gallery are painted or taken by young connoisseurs of art. Some works exhibit several nuances that complicate them, while others are simple and candid. Regardless of the complexity of these pieces of art, they skillfully convey emotions and aspects such as delight, sentiment, and realism. Assorted artistic styles are expressed using varying media, which render the images aesthetically pleasing.

“I think the gallery is a great way to show off some of the students’ talent. It’s nice to see so much work put into it all; it’s really impressive,” said senior Jules Erndl, who owned a fine image in the gallery during the “Point and Click” show in November 2021. The photograph depicted an American flag jutting from an inset name displayed in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

“It’s really easy to see the message: just a sort of tribute to those who passed away; a statement of gratitude if you would, showing how much the rescue team was appreciated,” explained Erndl.

The gallery holds monthly shows that feature various themes. With its clever and original name, each show brings in people to at least take a glance. People all around the Lynbrook community are involved in the gallery with paintings and photographs that depict the theme of each show. Last year, people from each school in the district virtually contributed to the gallery, and their artwork was shown on its website. Fortunately, people could physically participate in the gallery this year.

The monthly shows, particularly Point and Click, “really opened the doors to the gallery to get everybody involved,” said art teacher Michael Kunz.

Bern Seiderman was a former superintendent of Lynbrook Public Schools. He shaped the school district with the ineluctable notion that the provision of an education that equally valued and strengthened students’ academic and artistic skills would essentially edify the students. LHS Principal and former student Joe Rainis personally knew Bern Seiderman and has witnessed the design and construction of the art gallery toward the latter portion of the 1980s.

“[Bern Seiderman] believed that arts and sciences and mathematics and history and language instruction all were really important to learning for young people,” said Rainis.

The Bern Seiderman Gallery of the Arts, named after someone who greatly influenced education in Lynbrook, is one of LHS’s finest supplements. As the gallery evolves, so will its artworks.

To tour the website of the Bern Seiderman Gallery of the Arts online, visit https://thebernseidermanga.wixsite.com/mysite