Dog waste of different shapes and shades of brown and green are showcased along the dirt strips paralleling the school's sidewalks on Cottle Avenue, Avalon Drive and Gerald Way.

Although the show is free, some neighbors are upset by the exhibition that adds to its collection every day.

"It really bothers me that the dog walkers responsible for the mess are putting their dogs' convenience before the health and well-being of children," said Katie Senigaglia, who walks with her husband around the school twice a day.

Senigaglia said it is unfair to demand the school authority to clean up dog excrement because the school is an unwilling host of the show.

School students also find it hard to appreciate the art of dog poo.

Gubrielle Iseman, a fourth-grader, said she noticed people didn't pick up dog litter when she walked around the school during physical education classes.

"It smells bad and looks bad," Iseman said.

Despite the bad reviews, a free dog show is expected to attract some positive coverage.

The show is going on during the day, but visitors' best chance to see most breeds is in the morning and evening.

On a recent Tuesday evening, a golden Labrador retriever ran across the school's soccer field to catch a tennis ball. A German shepherd played with its owner on the grass. A Scotch terrier sniffed at a cocker spaniel at the children's playground.

"This is a good opportunity for the dogs to meet other dogs and people," said Kirsten Davis, who lets her 4-month-old Bernese mountain dog and 10-year-old cocker spaniel run freely at the playground. "They won't grow up aggressive if they can socialize with other dogs."

Davis, who moved to her house on Marsha Way about three months ago, said she began taking her dogs to the school about a week ago because she saw her neighbors doing so.

The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) sarcastically said it appreciated some dog owners' contributions to the show and poo exhibition, but it was sorry to inform them that it was against the law to continue leaving animal waste behind.

"According to San Jose municipal code, it's illegal for owners to permit their animals to defecate on public property without immediately cleaning the matter," said SJPD spokesman Joseph Deras. "It's also against the law to allow a dog to run at large."

Deras said a citation will be issued to dog owners who break the codes.

To some dog owners' disappointment, neighbors and even some dog lovers have also tried to end the dog poo exhibition.

Denise Robertson, who lives on Castle Drive, said she has picked up the messes left by other owners when taking her 7-year-old Australian shepherd to the school.

"I've ended up with nearly full bags sometimes," said Robertson.

David Ginsborg, president of Dogparknow.org, an online organization advocating more dog parks in Silicon Valley, believes having more parks that allow dogs to run freely is the best solution.

"The problem is that people like to take their dogs off the leash," Ginsborg said. "If we have more dog parks, responsible owners will force irresponsible owners to clean up after their dogs."

Miyuki Park, at the intersection of Miyuki Drive and Autoetch Lane, and Hellyer Dog Park in south San Jose are the only fenced-in parks in San Jose that allow dogs to be off-leash.

Ginsborg also believes stricter law enforcement would help.

But some neighbors say a more friendly approach should be tried before anything else to stop the exhibition.

"Even though we all get angry when dog owners act irresponsibly, sometimes a light touch works better than a heavy-handed approach," said Ann Leever, who lives on Spencer Avenue. "Maybe some owners are new to taking their dogs out in public and haven't yet learned the rules of etiquette. Maybe they think they live in Paris."

But some art commentators say the dog poo exhibition in Willow Glen is more artistic than ones they've seen in Paris.

The exhibition is divided into three styles.

On Cottle Avenue, a gray garbage can with "Dog Poop Drop" written in black ink on its side reminds some of dada artist Marcel Duchamp's work Fountain .

Dog waste is kept in its original landing places and scatters along the dirt strip on Gerald Way. From a distance, it looks like artist George Seurat's dot paintings.

Fallen leaves and dog excrement were racked into several piles along Avalon Drive, inspiring viewers with a desire for peaceful country life such as that conveyed in Jean-Francois Millet's paintings.

If interested, visit Schallenberger Elementary School at 1280 Koch Ave.