Well, Monet, it ain't
Posted on 12/13/2006 5:29:58 AM PST by ShadowDancer
Art Teacher Suspended For Painting With Butt
Man Wore Disguise, Kept Outside Art Separate
POSTED: 7:39 am EST December 13, 2006
RICHMOND, Va. -- Stephen Murmer's secret career as an artist has caught up with him. Video: Teacher Does Butt Art Web Site: ButtPrintArt
Murmer, a popular high school art teacher, was suspended after objections were raised about his private abstract artwork, much of which includes smearing his posterior and genitals with paint and pressing them against canvas.
Murmer contacted the American Civil Liberties Union on Friday, saying school administrators had suspended him with pay for five days because of his work as a painter and that he could face further punishment, ACLU legal director Rebecca Glenberg said.
Murmer has been instructed by Monacan High School administrators not to speak with the media, Glenberg said. He did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.
Schools spokeswoman Debra Marlow confirmed that a Monacan art teacher had been placed on administrative leave but declined to provide additional details because it is a personnel issue.
"In the school system, personnel regulations state that teachers are expected to set an example for students through their personal conduct," Marlow said. "Additionally, the Supreme Court has stated that schools must teach by example and that teachers, like parents, are role models."
Murmer went to great lengths to keep his work life separate from his activities as an artist, said ACLU executive director Kent Willis. As an artist, he goes by the name "Stan Murmur," and appears in disguise in photographs and videos promoting his art.
"As a public employee, he has constitutional rights, and he certainly has the right to engage in private legal activities protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution," Willis said.
Murmer expressed concern about remaining incognito during a 2003 appearance on a now-canceled cable television talk show. In a clip from the show, available on YouTube.com, Murmer dons a fake nose and glasses, a towel on his head, a black thong - and nothing else.
In response to questions about his disguise, Murmer said: "I do have a real job where I do have real clients and I don't think they'd be too understanding if I was also the guy who painted with my ass."
That video has made the rounds at Monacan High, where the mere mention of Murmer's name was enough to elicit grins from students Tuesday. Most supported their teacher, describing his suspension as "stupid" and "ignorant."
This is not the first time Murmer has faced potential problems because of his extracurricular activities. Three years ago, he contacted the ACLU after he was told school administrators were unhappy about his paintings, Willis said. The issue eventually blew over with no suspension issued, Willis said. It was unclear why administrators decided to take action now.
Owning a piece of Murmer's art doesn't come cheap. On his Web site, his creations run upward of $900. His most popular piece, "Tulip Butts," goes for $600.
what a jerk! I bet he thinks that he is being oh ever so clever!
This is just a form of half-assed art.
Tiptoe, thru the tulips.......
Clever? Yeah, $900 a pop!......Hmmm, Where's my paints and canvasses?......
If we could just get the 'Liberal' and the Liberals. . .out of Education. . .for starters. They suprpass only themselves when it comes to new revelations about the 'who' of these people.
Guys will do most anything to get dates...
please tell me people don't really buy this stuff!
All great artists must suffer........
....don't touch those paintbrushes...you don't know where they've been!.......
Obviously, his "artwork" is a self-portrait.
Better headline:
Art, my a$$
Stunts like that are why it's easy for schools to just ditch art programs. Thanks a lot, dude, for making art seem foolish and irrelevant.
"...had suspended him with pay for five days..."
So he's complaining about getting a vacation?
"Most supported their teacher, describing his suspension as 'stupid' and 'ignorant.'"
Would someone at this school please teach these morons what ignorant means?
Most supported their teacher, describing his suspension as "stupid" and "ignorant."
***
The end is near!
that's why they camm them the 'loony left'
"Art Teacher Suspended For Painting With Butt"
That's funny, a teacher in Austin,TX. was dimissed for taking photos of *butts*. Young girl's.
I call this asstounding piece, Brown-eye Dawn. See, it's winking at you.
Well, Monet, it ain't
~sigh~
My son goes to that school...fortunately, he doesn't have any art classes.
That said, I don't really have a problem with his "art." My problem is that he gave a demonstration on video (granted his "face" was covered) and now it's on YouTube for all the students to see.
~That~ said, butt prints are one thing. But the "cattails" picture he did is just perverse.
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