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MARQUETTE -- A piece of artwork in the Marquette Arts and Culture Center at the Peter White Library is causing quite a stir, calling four governors, including Governor Rick Snyder, fascists.

Should it be taken down?  Or is the work protected by freedom of speech?

"I am concerned about the erosion of democracy in this country, primarily in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Florida," says Marquette artist Sean Michael Stimac.

That's what inspired Stimac to create a political poster, and gallery officials say it's the most controversial piece of art they've ever had on their walls.

Images of Ohio Governor John Kasich, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Florida Governor Rick Scott, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder surround a fascist eagle, and the Republican elephant, which represents the party affiliation of each governor.

"I used the term fascism because of the corporate influence in the state government right now and even, to an extent, the federal government," Stimac says.

The piece is one of 13 by Stimac in the gallery, and he says they're all deeply political; this one is just more upfront about it, calling for the recall of the governors.

And whereas some think the poster sends an important message, others, may disagree.

"That poster, I really can't see anyone considering it art.  It's a political ad call to action and just filled with hate," says Marquette County Republican Chair Dan Adamini.

Gallery officials say they used a variety of criteria when evaluating the piece, and it didn't violate any of them.  They did put a disclaimer up, indicating that the views expressed by the artist do not reflect that of the gallery.  At this point, the galley has no plans to have the piece taken down, and in the future they'll use the same criteria they used to to evaluate this piece for future works of art.

"There's emotions out there for lots of the pieces that we have throughout the year, and this is only one of them," says Assistant City Manager Karl Zueger.

The exhibit will be on display until July 29.