Students who dine in the Park Student Union may notice paintings, drawings, and collages decorating the once barren walls of the dining room.

Members of the Tucson Boys and Girls Club displayed more than 100 exhibits in the PSU as part of a nationwide art competition.

Contestants compete against one another according to age group, in categories ranging from watercolor and pastel painting to graphic art and oil painting. The winner of the competition will move on to the regional and possibly the national competition.

National winners will have a chance to have their art displayed on the Boys and Girls Club Web site, said Lynette Sol, director of the Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse.

Sol said the children enjoyed creating their entries for the competition because it was a break from the typical arts and crafts routine and because their work received a lot of praise.

Alex Galaz Jr., director of Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse Physical Education and Health, said he was shocked when he realized how young the artists were.

"I'd like (UA students) to see what the kids do because I think they'd be surprised at what an 8-year-old can make," Galaz said.

UA students said the bulletin boards covered in colorful art were a welcome departure from the typical PSU décor.

Jordan Siegman, an undeclared freshman, called the work, "aesthetically pleasing," and said he enjoyed having some art around him while he enjoyed his meals.

"It adds some spice to the PSU," Siegman said. "The PSU's pretty bland."

A.J. Grossbard agreed that the artwork made the dining area a more scenic place to eat.

"It's definitely better than looking at the gray walls," the undeclared freshman said.

Sol encouraged UA students to look at the work and encourage the artists if they happen to see them.

"If the kids get good feedback hopefully it will give them that little push to continue their education," Sol said. "Maybe they'll get an art degree."

The art will be on display until tomorrow, when the winners from the Tucson competition will be announced at a 5:30 p.m. reception.