The controversy centers around several drawings of silhouettes in various sexual positions that hang from the ceiling at Colo Colo Gallery downtown. The drawings are part of an exhibit that focuses on the seven deadly sins.

NEW BEDFORD — Luis Villanueva, owner of Colo Colo Gallery downtown, calls it censorship.



Diane Arsenault, executive director of Downtown New Bedford Inc., says she had to take action so that young children would not have to see erotic artwork hanging from the ceiling in the small gallery at 29 Centre St.



"It was inappropriate artwork for the general public to view," said Arsenault, who taped flyers and cardboard over the front door and window of the gallery Saturday morning. She covered the windows after Villanueva failed to immediately return a phone call.



"Sometimes you have to react," Arsenault said.



Meanwhile, law enforcement officials are investigating whether criminal action will be taken against Villanueva, said New Bedford Police Chief Ronald E. Teachman.



"The fact that he took no safeguards against the public and children viewing the art is of concern," Teachman said.



The controversy centers around several drawings of silhouettes in various sexual positions that hang from the gallery's ceiling. The drawings are part of an exhibit that focuses on the seven deadly sins. They are in the form of thought bubbles representing lustful imaginings.



"This show is tame," said Villanueva, who showed visitors the other 13 art pieces that comprise "Fatal Transgressions: A Septette." None of the other artwork portrayed explicit sexual activity. A black-and-white picture of an empty, unmade bed was also intended to portray lust.



The show — curated by Don Wilkinson, president of Gallery X — had its grand opening Friday night. Wilkinson and Villanueva said close to 100 people attended the opening, and that they heard only positive reviews.



"Everything here was done by professional artists," Villanueva said.



However, Teachman and Arsenault said they received several complaints that the erotic artwork was visible to parents who brought their children Saturday to have pictures taken with Santa Claus at Mare' Studios and Gallery, which is located next door to Colo Colo.



Arsenault covered up the gallery's outside windows. Teachman told Villanueva to put something in the window to block the public's view.



"I'm being censored for another gallery's gain," Villanueva said. "I have First Amendment rights."



Arsenault said there were other concerns to think about.



"When there is an event that invites parents and children to the whole downtown, special considerations should be taken so the public doesn't have to be exposed to erotic artwork," she said.



Villanueva said he was reasonable and willing to cover his windows but was angry that Arsenault had done so without his permission.



"It looks like the gallery is closed for good, like I'm in foreclosure," said Villanueva, who taped two signs to his front door saying the gallery was open but that it contained material some might find offensive.



"This is like government censorship," Wilkinson said.



Villanueva said he also resented the police chief telling him to cover the windows. Teachman said that when he arrived at Centre Street, the gallery's windows were already covered and that Villanueva was upset and demanding "compensation."



"No doubt that if the person hadn't screened those windows, children would have been able to see inside the gallery," said Teachman, who added that the District Attorney's Office will review "the facts of the case."



"We'll see whether the public and children were protected from viewing the material and whether that qualifies under the statute for criminal prosecution," Teachman said, referring to a state law under which someone can be charged with disseminating harmful material to a minor.



"The investigation will determine whether the material is offensive, if there should be a criminal penalty, a court injunction or prosecution," Teachman said.



Meanwhile, "Fatal Transgressions" will be on display until Dec. 26. Villanueva said he is considering permanently shuttering his gallery because he does not know if he will be "censored again." He said nobody has told him how long he has to keep his windows covered.



"People are scandalizing this show," he said.