Sorry About Banning Your Nude Painting, Says Temecula

Temecula has apologized for removing a portrait of a nude woman from a city-owned building.

"On behalf of the City of Temecula, I wish to apologize to you for the removal of your art work, Study No. 1, from the Visual Expressions Show 2010 at the Mercantile Building," read the apology to Temecula artist Jeff Hebron.

His painting, found online here (look away, children), was part of a show at The Merc, a city-owned building.

"We value the creative work of the artists in this region and did not achieve the proper balance of the important creative and community interests involved in this exhibit and ask that you please understand that we are especially sensitive to areas where young children are expected to be present. The appropriateness of what they may be exposed to is always a difficult issue."

The full apology has been posted online.

The city is working on a new policy for art featured in city-owned facilities, the Press-Enterprise reported.

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