High School Portfolio Prep

LaGuardia, Frank Sinatra, Art and Design, Bayside and other Art High Schools.

For students in seventh and eighth grades who plan to apply to specialized art high schools, we provide a special portfolio, and most important, auditions preparation class. Bridgeview School has the most successful track record with portfolio preparation. Almost all of our students who have been with us for at least a year get accepted to at least one of these schools (LaGuardia, Frank Sinatra and Art and Design).

Special Note! We have had this program since we opened in 2001. In fact, one of our alumni and LaGuardia graduates Iliya Mirochnik, a Bridgeview teacher for 5 years is now a full time professor of art at Ringling College of Art in Sarasota, FL.  

Getting into LaGuardia, Frank Sinatra and Art and Design is becoming increasingly harder due to growing competition and a much higher number of applicants. We can't help you with academics, but we can help with the audition and portfolio, given that you allow ample time to prepare. If your child is new to Bridgeview, he would need at least 3 semesters (9 months) to learn the basics, then proceed to creating a high quality work for the portfolio/audition. Often times we get applicants who want to take just one semester before auditions. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to train someone in such a short time, therefore, we ask you not to apply for this program if you only have a few months left before the auditions. 

The audition process has changed over the years, but Bridgeview has stayed on top. Currently, a required portfolio consists of these 4 specific pieces (still life with at least 4 objects, self portrait fr om observation, figure drawing from observation and fantastical sandwich). In addition, schools want to see 4 or more pieces, more still life, some landscapes and some imagination work. 

In order to tackle the more complicated required portfolio pieces students need to learn basic fundamentals. Before drawing a fantastical sandwich with a highly creative and imaginative design one needs to know how to draw a basic object from observation and that is wh ere we start. Same goes for portrait and figure. Before doing a self-portrait by looking in the mirror one needs to be able to do even a basic portrait sketch fr om another person, a friend or a family member. Drawing a scull is also a great excercise to develop basic understanding of anatomy and the structure of the head. Often, kids make flat anime-like pictures, but that is not enough for these high schools, and that's wh ere Bridgeview excels. 

High School Auditions Portfolio also requires some art in color. Our beginner students work mostly in pastels, but more advanced kids paint with acrylics and in some cases even with oils. We teach how to mix colors, color theory and color harmony. 

Students are also advised to sketch at home. Good subjects are everyday things that kids observe. For example, pets at rest, family members, home interiors, like my room, my bed, my desk or a view from my window. Landscapes or citiscapes are great including playgrounds and parks.

Bridgeview provides high quality art supplies free of charge to the kids with the exception of oil paints for the advanced students.  

Tuition: $550 for 12 weeks of classes including all professional-grade materials. 

Fall/Winter/Spring Schedule

Thursday 4 - 6 pm (12 classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Leo Kundas
4 spots

Friday 4 - 6 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Boris Kulikov
1 spot

Friday 4 - 6 pm (12 classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Leo Kundas
Full

Friday 6 - 8 p.m. (12 two-hour classes) (Ages 12 and up)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Boris Kulikov
1 spot

Saturday 10.00 - 12:00 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructors Teodora Todorova
Full

Saturday 12.00 - 2:00 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructors Teodora Todorova
Full

Saturday 12.00 - 2:00 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructors Leonid Shoshensky
4 spots

Saturday 2.15 - 4 (12 classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Leonid Shoshensky
4 spots

Sunday 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Boris Kulikov
4 spots

Sunday 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Boris Kulikov
2 spots

Sundays 2.15 - 4 pm (12 two-hour classes)
$550 (materials included)
Instructor Boris Kulikov
Full

Below are some of our STUDENT PORTFOLIO PIECES from 2025 High School Portfolio Submissions to Laguardia, Art and Design and Frank Sinatra schools.

Congratulations to Bridgeview Students for being accepted to the following high schools for 2026!

"My daughter is at the Bridgeview art school for the past 5 years and it has been absolutely an incredible experience! The school itself is like a little haven of inspiration, with walls adorned with the works of students, creating an atmosphere that makes art feel alive. I can not express enough how happy we are with the school and her teachers. Boris, and previously beloved Polina, opened up a whole new world of creativity and skills. My daughter learned so much about different painting techniques and styles, from abstract to realism, that her confidence has truly blossomed. Her teachers have nurtured her talent with great patience. The best part is seeing my kid how much she genuinely enjoys every moment there – she always comes home excited to show her latest piece. Not only that, but all this hard work and dedication recently paid off in a big way when my kid won an award among all other kids in New York City. It is impressive how many kids from Bridgeview make it into super competitive art schools and colleges in New York City ( but also in other states). Teachers work very hard and school is open during most holidays so kids dont miss the class and Lena, the owner, is very kind to always offer makeup sessions when we do miss."

Anna, mom of Maya Jowata.