Suffolk public school students’ artistic talent reaches a wider audience when their art is exhibited at Old Dominion University Tri-Cities Center.

“It’s a partnership,” said the school district’s director of elementary leadership, Pamela Conner.

“They approached us — I want to say five years ago — to showcase our students. The kids love it, because their art is actually at the university. They are able to feel very special.”

Exhibitions occur twice annually, Connor said. The latest one opened Thursday, with more than 33 artists in kindergarten through grade 12, according to Ellen McClintock, certified master advisor and enrollment services specialist at the ODU center.

The works utilize a variety of mediums, McClintock said in an email, including watercolor, pastels, crayon, pencil, collage and paint.

“Ten schools from the Suffolk Public Schools system participated in the art show, and the reception attracted over 40 attendees — proud artists, their families, friends, teachers and Suffolk administrative personnel,” she added.

Located on the second floor at 1070 University Blvd., Portsmouth, the works will remain on display through Oct. 2.

The public can attend between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, in accordance with ODU’s academic calendar.

Janette Belotte, art teacher at Northern Shores Elementary School, said she selected three students for the honor.

“They are fascinating to me,” she said of the pieces. “One in particular has an almost ancient feeling, like you might see it on a wall in a cave.”

Belotte said she invited parents to the opening reception. “They were overwhelmed — they were very honored,” she said.

On opening night, the students answered questions from the public, she said, adding, “They feel respected for doing a quality piece of art.”

While it’s a treat for students to see their creations hanging on a university wall, they also have the opportunity to be selected for other shows.

The opening reception for the Superintendent’s Art Show will be held from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday at the School Administrative Offices, 100 N. Main St.

One artist represents each school in the district, their work remaining on display for one year.

“Parents are invited to come with their children,” Connor said of the reception.

After an opening reception Tuesday, King’s Fork High School’s International Baccalaureate visual arts students are currently having their work shown at Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts’ gallery, 110 W. Finney Ave., until Friday.

The gallery is open to the public between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.