Stephen Murmer, a "popular" art teacher at Monacan High School in Virginia, has been placed on administrative leave because his private artwork was, to say the least, a little cheeky.Working under the pseudonym "Stan Murmur," he produced pictures by smearing his undercarriage with paint and then sitting on canvas. Far more than your typical "pressed hams" though, Murmer created images of flowers, including "Tulip Butts," with his higher-end pieces selling for as much as $900 (you gotta love art).
Things seemed to be going fine until a interview of "Stan Murmur" wearing only a Speedo, a fake nose, glasses and a towel on his head found its way onto YouTube.
According to Chesterfield County schools, "teachers are expected to set an example for students through their personal conduct," and apparently painting with your backside is not the example they had in mind. That being said, Murmer went to great lengths to keep his private art life a secret, despite being "proud of the ass painting." But given that he broke no laws and is, after all, a professional artist, was it fair for Monacan High to suspend him? Students and the ACLU don't think so, but the school maintains "that teachers, like parents, are role models."
Thanks Mike: This from the Washington Post.
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