Pierson Middle/High School

The Church in Sag Harbor recently hosted a dual exhibition showcasing the exceptional talents of Pierson High School’s photography and fashion design students. The event, titled “Sag Harbor In Focus,” brought together two powerful tributes to youth creativity during.

Curated by legendary photographer Ralph Gibson, “Sag Harbor In Focus” featured photographs captured over the past year by students, organized into eight thematic categories such as Landscape, Portraiture, Architecture and Inside Out. Each image offered a window into the students’ experiences and their connection to life on the East End.

“The goal during the selection process of this exhibit,” Gibson explained, “was to walk away from a photograph thinking about it – and I can do just that with these photos.”

Award recipients included Sabrina McManus for Best Portfolio, Katherine Guanga for Architecture, Adam Drohan for Home and Family, Karen Barbecho Buestan for Landscape and Elliot Schmitt for Sense of Place, amongst others.

In a parallel celebration of artistry, 11 students participated in a three-day Fashion Workshop Intensive led by esteemed designer Mary Jane Marcasiano. Drawing inspiration from the Sag Harbor Historical Museum’s exhibit “Sag Harbor Summers: Annie Cooper Boyd 1882 to 1907,” and styles from the summer 2025 New York and Paris fashion collections, the workshop invited students to explore the intersection of historical fashion and modern design.

“The students loved the history,” Marcasiano reflected. “They are the same age as the period we studied of Annie Cooper Boyd, so there was a deep connection between how Annie spent her time in Sag Harbor and how the students spend their time – doing art and riding horses, for example – highlighting a theme of 'women in Sag Harbor.'”

The workshop culminated in original student-designed garments, brought to life with help from Nancy’s Tailoring and guided by Marcasiano’s mentorship.

The exhibitions were made possible by the continued support of the Fischl Gornik Family Foundation and the Donald Reutershan Educational Trust. The photography program, now in its 10th year, continues to grow as a pillar of the Pierson visual arts program. Together, these exhibitions celebrated not only student talent, but also the rich artistic heritage and enduring creative spirit of Sag Harbor.