ESCONDIDO -- Is it art or pornography, and does it belong in downtown Escondido? Many Escondido residents, artists and city leaders have been considering this question since the North County Times reported Tuesday that a downtown art gallery owner removed a nude painting from her second-story window after someone complained about it.

The debate has focused countywide attention on Escondido's growing arts scene, with other local newspapers, television and radio stations picking up on the story.

Meanwhile, Melissa Inez Walker, the owner of Distinction art gallery at 317 E. Grand Ave., has returned the painting by local artist Bob Ferguson to her window, saying she was prompted by an outpouring of support since Tuesday's article.

And that move, in turn, has spurred the original complainants, Angelica and Jeremiah Vignali to file a request at City Hall for an investigation. Their complaint declares "it is inappropriate for this painting to be displayed publicly."

All of which adds up to a boon for the local art business, said Susan McLaughlin, owner of the Lillian Berkley Collection art gallery at 128 Grand Ave.

"This controversy is the best thing that could happen to the arts district in Escondido," she said Friday.

McLaughlin said she thinks Ferguson's painting is art, not pornography, and should be displayed any way the gallery and artist wish. McLaughlin has displayed nude paintings at her gallery, even in the front window, without complaint, she said.

Although McLaughlin has displayed nudes of both men and women, she said the female form tends to be more accepted by the public. That seems to be the case in downtown Escondido, where several statues of nude women have been displayed in the front window and outside of Architectural Relics, 158 E. Grand Ave. for weeks.

Strolling down the sidewalk with her 2-year-old daughter on Friday, Valley Center resident Angela Hansen said she had no problem with artwork of nudes being displayed for pedestrians to see.

"I don't think that there's anything wrong with that whatsoever," Hansen said. "I actually think it's a good thing. I think people need to be exposed to nudity as something that's beautiful."

At City Hall, city officials have taken a more middle-of-the-road position.

While city officials have said the visibility of Ferguson's impressionist painting doesn't break any laws, City Council members said Friday they have mixed feelings about it in a city known both for its art and its conservatism.

Mayor Lori Pfeiler said she supports Walker's decision to display the painting again.

"Escondido has been trying to attract galleries and have galleries open and have art in our downtown," Pfeiler said. "And when you're going to ask art to come, you're going to get some different kinds of art, and that's what we need to celebrate."

Councilman Ed Gallo said he doesn't personally agree with Walker's decision, although he wasn't sure what action, if any, the city might take.

"I think it's inappropriate. If someone wants to go into an art gallery and see art, that's their choice. But if a person's walking down the street, I don't think it should be shoved in their face," Gallo said.

While Councilwoman Marie Waldron said she didn't know a lot about the issue, she said that on a personal level and as the owner of a downtown business, she thought displaying a nude painting was inappropriate.

Similarly, Councilman Ron Newman said he didn't know a lot about the issue and didn't want to see the city get involved unless there were a clear legal question. But, Newman said, "if it's nudity and some people are offended by it, it shouldn't be in an obvious location."

Bob Wright, owner of the Robert Wright Fine Art Gallery, which has displayed Ferguson's landscape paintings for 10 years, said he doesn't display the artist's nudes mainly for one reason.

"I'm there to sell art, and I don't think nude art sells, and therefore I'm not going to put something in my gallery that doesn't sell," Wright said.

However, Wright conceded that another consideration was the location of a dance studio attended by many young girls next door to his gallery.

"But I don't think there's anything wrong with his subject matter of nudes," he said.

Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com. To comment, go to nctimes.com.