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RICHMOND, Va., Dec 13, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Virginia art teacher Stephen Murmur's unorthodox art techniques have landed him in trouble with school officials for the second time.
Murmur has been placed on paid leave for painting with his buttocks and genitals and placing the paintings on a Web site, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday. He also features a video on the site, his face disguised with Groucho-Marx type glasses and mustache. The video shows him putting his rear end on a painted surface.
The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, Kent Willis, told the newspaper the teacher has had prior problems because of his art techniques. That time Chesterfield County officials allowed him to keep teaching.
Murmur uses a pseudonym, Stan Murmur, to create images of flowers and butterflies, asking as much as $900 apiece for the unusual art works.
Willis says teachers have rights to "private lives."
The school board may schedule a hearing next month to see whether Murmur "broke any school system policies."
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
