There is more to the elementary school art world than just Picasso says Sippican School art teacher Erin Kirk.

On Friday, March 9 Kirk’s students will exhibit their self-portraits in the upstairs gallery of the Marion Art Center for a combined show with photographer, and Mattapoisett resident, Neil Alexander.

"It's a kindergarten through grade 6 show and the goal is to try all different variations," Kirk said. "They all love the Picasso faces. He's the ideal artist for grade school but we study a different artist or style to try to tie something into the classes they can get interested in."

The students’ work features elements of the works by artists such as Amedeo Modigliani and Kimmy Cantrell, and includes paintings, drawings and clay masks.

For the students, this is a chance to show off their knowledge of art history with a few new elements.

Fourth grade student Charlie Tomlinson said he chose to make a mask in the style of Cantrell. His mask features a tongue, with his initials written on it, sticking out of the mouth.

“I decided to put my initials there because we were supposed to have a place for them and I couldn’t find any other one,” Tomlinson said.

Cassidy Bart, a fifth grade student, chose to model her self-portrait on the work of Modigliani.

“First I started with the outline and I made my neck and nose real long because that’s what he did,” Bart said.

Third grade student Cassidy Yeomans said she included puffy cheeks in her self-portrait to go with her personality.

“When I start laughing my cheeks really swell up,” Yeomans said.

Charlotte Gordon, a second grade student, said she chose to include different shapes and designs in her portrait to make it look like an abstract painting.

“I like abstract because it’s kind of crazy,” Gordon said. “It’s not like a normal picture.”

The show, Kirk said is something she hopes to become an annual event.

Kirk first approached executive director of the Art Center, Deborah Bokelkamp, with the idea for a student exhibition last year.

Last spring, 60 students featured their animal portraits in the upstairs gallery. This year, Kirk says she has over 90 pieces for the show – 72 two-dimensional and 20 three-dimensional works.

“It’s nice because we try to work with what the professional artist is doing,” Kirk said. “It’s really fun for the kids for them to familiarize themselves with such a wide breadth of work. Luckily, portraits are one of those things that just happen in the classroom naturally.”