Dozens of pieces of artwork created by Warring Elementary School students are on display at Vassar College this week.

The assortment of pieces are appearing as part of the 37th Annual John Iyoya Children’s Art Exhibit, at the James W. Palmer III Gallery in the campus’ college center. 

Warring art teacher Kathy Orza said her classes have been taking part in the show for five years.

“They absolutely love it,” Orza said. “They’re so proud of their work, seeing it hung up outside the school. It gives them that pride and that confidence.”

Orza said between 80 and 100 pieces from her classes, first grade to fifth, are part of the exhibition. The collection represents “a little bit of everything,” with a balance of pieces chosen from each grade level.

“In September I start out the year doing certain projects and I just try to pick some of the better pieces,” she said. “I try to save some from each project we do. I have some paintings, some clay. Some representing Hispanic heritage, some Black History Month portraits.”

This year’s poster advertising the event features a painting of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Orza created with some of her fifth-grade students. It was one of two such portraits, with the second given to Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser.

The art teacher said the goal is for students to stretch their creativity. She pushes them to add extra dimensions to whatever they are working on. The Black History Month portraits are silhouettes that include the names of important figures in Black history and decorated by flowers, gems and other items.

In one project this year, the students were asked to create portraits of themselves in the style of filmmaker Tim Burton, whose animated characters in such movies as “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “The Corpse Bride” share similar exaggerated features.

Each student whose artwork appears in the exhibition received an invitation to attend with their families. Orza called the event “truly wonderful," noting the college holds a reception with cookies and juice.

“The students were thrilled to see their art out in the community,” Orza said. “That’s what it is all about. I was as excited as they were.”

The free exhibit is open from 2-5 p.m. through Friday, March 8. Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Ave. in Poughkeepsie.