Butt Painting Teacher Put On Suspension

Stephen Murmer, an art teacher working for the Chesterfield County Public Schools (a Richmond, Virginia suburb) was put on paid administrative leave when it was discovered Murmer is a professional butt and crotch painter. Using the name “Stan Murmer,” the art teacher creates floral and abstract paintings by covering his posterior and genitals in paint and pressing them against a canvas.  His paintings have been sold for upwards of $900.

“I am certainly proud of the ass painting,” Stan Murmer said on a clip on YouTube. “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 that painted with my ass.”

A spokeswoman for the school system said an investigation into Murmer began when officials were told about the YouTube video. “We do have personnel regulations that state the teachers are expected to set examples for students through their personal conduct — that is a written Chesterfield County Public School regulation,” she said. “And additionally, the Supreme Court has stated that schools must teach by example, and that teachers, like parents, are role models.”

This is the second time Murmer’s unconventional painting style has landed him in trouble with the school system. A few years ago, school officials discovered his website, www.buttprintart.com, but the issue was resolved.

“Somehow it’s resurfaced,” said Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. “Schools need to respect the rights of teachers to have private lives.”