A brand new gallery came to town Thursday, causing an assortment of art aficionados to ooh and aah over the bright work.

Colorful paintings, sketches, collages and crayon art covered the walls of Decas Elementary School for its yearly student art exhibit.

The artistic works of 30 classes, kindergarten through second grade, were displayed down the halls, with everything from self-portraits to portraits of Martin Luther King, Jr. and miniature replicas of Wareham buildings and roads.

Many students attended the exhibit with their parents, excited to show them their work and find their friends’ art on the walls. Jenna Debonise brought with her first grade daughter, Emma, to see what she had been working on in art class.

“They’re cutting the budget for all creative learning all over the place and that’s so important for child development,” Debonise said, adding that she appreciates Decas' art program. “This gives them a special night to be proud of what they’ve done.”

The school’s art teacher, Ellen Osborn, enjoyed a rainbow cake in honor of her retirement this spring. Osborn has been working at Decas Elementary School since 1991 and started the annual art exhibit five years ago.

“The kids love it,” Osborn said. “I hear them complimenting other kids’ art and they love seeing the work of those younger than them.”

Though Osborn, who was hugging her students and talking with parents all evening, will be missed, she said the art program at Decas Elementary School will continue to flourish.

The art exhibit transformed the school and was an exciting way to wrap up the year for students, she said.

“When we put them all up, everyone was so happy,” Osborn said. “Personalities really come out in the art.”