LOGAN -- The art department at Utah State University foiled a would-be censor who removed paintings of nude women from a wall and placed them face down on the floor twice last week.
Now even more people will see the student paintings, because they are in a locked display cabinet on the heavily traveled first floor of the Fine Arts-Visual building. The paintings previously were shown on a second-floor hallway wall."Now, they are more open to public scrutiny," said Craig Law, head of the art department.
The censorship began Wednesday, when the six paintings were found face down on the floor. They were returned to the wall, but were found in the same position on the floor Thursday morning.
USU police Sgt. Steve Milne said the paintings were not damaged and were found in the early morning both days.
The student artwork comes from Assistant Professor Greg Schulte's Art 5200 class. The six images offer several views of nude women.
A do-not-disturb sign near the paintings refers any questions or concerns to the art department or Schulte.
Law said he does not doubt the placement on the floor was someone's form of censorship.
The few complaints he gets about art usually come via notes or direct contact, he said.
"We try and be sensitive to the community, but we also try and teach the community," said Law.
The department has had no strong complaints about the new, first-floor display of the paintings, he said.
Police are keeping a closer eye on the building, which is open at all sorts of hours, making access easy. Police have no suspects, and no further action is expected.
"Looks like they backed off," Law said.