The Daily Newds

• A Muslim student in Canada has been told not to take the drawing course that requires drawing nude models.

  Ms. Okruhlik (dean of Arts and Humanities) said the university allows students to do substitute life drawing projects in introductory courses because it is recognized that, if they don't get through the introductory course, they will be barred from going further. "But for advanced courses for drawing and painting, we decided we couldn't alter the curriculum for Muslim students or anybody else. It doesn't keep anybody out of visual arts. It will keep some people later on out of specific drawing and painting courses. In those courses, drawing from life models is absolutely critical. It's such an important part of the tradition to be able to represent the human body."

• Sir Ian McKellen appeared completely nude in a preview performance of Shakespeare's "King Lear" in Stratford-upon-Avon.

  A member of the audience said: "He didn't have a stitch on him. Then he put his shirt back on, but his manhood was still on display. "It was completely unexpected. When we went into the play, there were signs warning us about loud noises, but there was no mention of full nudity."

• There is genuine fascination by the media regarding the age-old practice of nude figure drawing in art schools. Most artists will admit that the human form is both the most challenging and the most rewarding subject that one is likely to come across for making visual interpretations. As a student, I took figure drawing for a couple of years, and never once was the experience anything other than professional and completely non-sexual, but people who have never taken life drawing classes somehow believe that it is something a bit scandalous or titillating. So why does someone take their clothes off for the purpose of being stared at for hours by dozens of students?

  Dave Hill, 46, began modeling while attending college at Washington University. A teacher asked him to pose for a drawing class. "It sounded like an easy job," he said. "When I got done filling out the paperwork she said, 'You're going to have to go ahead and get undressed.' I didn't know what I thought about that but I did it. It was fun." Hill, a Hayward resident, continues to model about two times a week for Bay Area art groups, and occasionally at Merced College. He got over his embarrassment quickly and now considers modeling a relaxing activity, as long as the poses aren't too difficult. "I think there are three views of male nude models," he said. "One is 'that's really cool.' Second, there are people who are uncomfortable seeing you as an object." Then there are people who wonder why anyone would do it. "If you like to be nude, it's a good job," Hill said.

• Willow trees at Mazo Beach on the Wisconsin River have been removed in an effort to prevent unwanted public sexual behavior.

  Naturist Action Committee executive director Bob Morton says his group applauds the D-N-R's attempts to control sexual activity on the beach. He says that, if there is overt sexual activity in public, it jeopardizes the beach.

• While most students that attended a night of Burlesque at San Francisco State University found the event to be a lot of fun, some students were not so enthusiastic.

  ”It was too much,“ said Laura Covarrubias, 19. “I don’t mind nudity when it’s in the movies because it’s on screen, but this was a live show, so it was right in
  front of me. I didn’t like it.” Her friend Stephany Sedlmayer, 18, described Bombshell Betty and Sweet Cheeks galloping on two green chairs to the William Tell Overture. “It was very scandalous because her nipple thingy came off,” Sedlmayer said. “Maybe I’m just too young to appreciate something like this. It was very provocative and promiscuous. I was exposed to a nipple today.”

• A nudist cruise to Glacier Bay, Alaska? The London Times reports that naturist cruises are a booming business with many exotic destinations now available.

  Among the British nudist converts to cruises is John Stockdale, 51, from Liverpool, who was invited with his wife on a nude cruise by some friends. He has been a naturist for 25 years and said he loved the relaxed atmosphere of a nude cruise: “We thought it was fantastic. All kinds of people go — there are lots of retired teachers, doctors and professional people. “After a while you don’t realise that people aren’t wearing clothes because everyone looks the same. In fact it is people wearing clothes that attract more attention.”

• A man who streaked a Wyoming fair has apologized to the public.

  “I was wrong to streak and regret it more than I know how to say. I would strongly discourage anyone who is considering carrying on this dumb tradition.”

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