Penn State graduate Joshua Stulman, whose art exhibit "Portraits of Terror" was canceled last year by the university, has filed a lawsuit against Penn State for what he says is a violation of his first amendment rights.

The university, Director of the School of Visual Arts Charles Garoian, art professor Robert Yarber and Penn State President Graham Spanier are all named as defendants in the lawsuit.

In April 2006, Garoian canceled a scheduled showing of Stulman's 10-piece exhibit, which was sponsored by Penn State Hillel and featured images of conflict in Palestinian territories. According to the lawsuit, Garoian said the exhibit violated Penn State's Policy AD42: Statement on Nondiscrimination and Harassment, and did not promote "cultural diversity" or "opportunities for democratic dialogue."

Stulman is suing the defendants on the grounds of suppression of his first amendment rights and defamation of character.

University Spokesman Bill Mahon said the university has offered Stulman two opportunities to display the exhibit, both this year and the last. Stulman declined on both occasions, he said.

He declined to comment further, saying neither he nor Penn State lawyers have read the suit in detail.

The lawsuit requests that Penn State host the canceled exhibit and pay whatever extra costs would be charged because Stulman is no longer a student. The lawsuit also asks that Garoian pay the cost of mounting and shipping Stulman's exhibit.

Stulman is seeking additional monetary damages against Garoian for alleged defamation of character. The lawsuit states that Garoian told the Centre Daily Times that Stulman's exhibit was nothing more than a "billboard for Hillel's political agenda," and that Stulman himself was simply a "megaphone."

Garoian could not be reached for comment by press time.

Lori Marcus, Stulman's attorney, said the university's actions have done great damage to Stulman's name, attaching a notoriety that haunts him to this day. Stulman was forced to cancel an exhibit of "Portraits of Terror" at Gratz College in Elkins Park because the local police could not guarantee security due to his notoriety, she said.

"His reputation has been harmed," she said.

Marcus, who is representing Stulman free of charge, said she thought what the school did was "ridiculous."

"This is an art school," she said. "For them to censor art, on the basis of the expression of art ... is unacceptable. And to allow the record to remain, as it is ... you just can't let that go."