Don't Fire the Buttprint Man

Who knew painting with body parts could be so controversial?

Stephen Murmer was a well-respected art teacher at Monacan High School in Chesterfield, Virginia up until late 2006. At that time, a video showing Murmer, posing under the alias Stan Murmur, surfaced online demonstrating his unique style of artistic expression: butt-painting.

As Murmer's activities would have (and eventually did) come under fire by parents, school officials, papal figures, and political officials, Murmer wore a mask during the demonstration video to conceal his identity. All of Murmer's butt-art was created on his own time and he took steps to ensure his students did not uncover it.

When students at Murmer's school stumbled upon the online exhibition, it quickly spread around the student body. School officials called upon Murmer and suspended him, claiming the video clamor was creating a disruption. A month later Murmer was fired.

The ACLU of Virginia filed suit in Richmond on Thursday against the Chesterfield County school board. The suit alleges the firing of former high school teacher Stephen Murmer in January was a violation of Murmer's First Amendment rights.

While it is easy to see the school board's position that a person in such a position of respect and authority should not be engaging in this type of behavior, Murmer did nothing wrong within the confines of the school nor did his students have any direct exposure to his art. Had he posted "Tulip Butts" in his classroom, that may be pushing it. Ultimately, would this case have been different had Murmer been using strictly arms, elbows, or armpits? I don't there would be this much uproar if that was the case.

The probable upside to this for Murmer is increased recognition for his work and techniques. And, for only $4,800 you can own "Poppies," a piece of history featuring the posterior DNA of a famous painter.

One thing is for sure: he could have picked a better pseudonym differing more than one letter from his real name.