I Am Art: Artist + Educator Blu Murphy
With the bold affirmation “I am art,” educator and artist Blu Murphy transforms her classroom at Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School into a space of empowerment and creativity. For the past four years, Murphy has inspired students to see themselves as masterpieces, blending art with education in ways that ignite self-worth and identity.
Murphy was recruited by Principal Rachel Crouch, with whom she previously worked at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School. Crouch recognized Murphy’s talent and commitment to the arts, describing her as an “excellent art teacher” who teaches such advanced techniques that the work of kindergarteners often resembles adult artistry.
At a time when many schools shift focus to STEM, Crouch invested in the arts to engage families and students more holistically. She hired drama and music teachers alongside Murphy, giving arts educators full-time schedules and equal pay — a rare but vital commitment to creative learning.
Inside Murphy’s classroom, mirrors with affirmations and directional arrows labeled “art” surround students. These elements are more than decor; they’re daily affirmations of identity. When students stand beneath the arrows or in front of the mirrors, Murphy reminds them, “You are art. You are a masterpiece.”
Beyond skill-building, Murphy emphasizes art’s therapeutic role. “Not everyone will become an architect or designer,” she explains, “but art provides a coping mechanism for trauma, loss, and anger — even when therapy isn’t accessible.” For her students, a pencil and paper can become a lifeline.
Inspired by her students’ transformations, Murphy began photographing them and blending their portraits with symbolic imagery. Her mixed-media works, like the piece “Black Boy Potential,” feature students surrounded by icons like Obama, Mandela, Ali, and Jordan, framing Black youth as inheritors of greatness and resilience.
The 34-by-46 inch portrait of a playful student named Carter was sold to a collector in 2021. But to Murphy, its power lies in what it represents — that every student can see themselves reflected in greatness, surrounded by historic figures, modern heroes, and pop culture icons.
Murphy’s work extends beyond individual students; her 350 students are central to her process. She snaps their portraits during class or recess using just an iPhone. The images are printed large, mounted on thrifted or repurposed canvases, and framed with a DIY, “shabby-chic” flair.
Each piece is signed with Murphy’s graffiti-style tag — the letters B-L-U in organic bubble shapes. The abstract lettering reflects her dyslexia, something she’s open about with students to show that challenges don’t define limits. Her transparency models resilience and creativity.
As she approached her 40th birthday, Murphy realized it was time to nurture her own dreams as an artist. Though she earned her BFA from Morgan State University, she’d spent the last 14 years pouring into students across schools and group homes. It was finally her moment to shine.
Murphy submitted her work for an exhibit at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria — and was accepted. Her first solo show, “LE DRIP: The Uncontainable Sauce of Black Essence,” opened in April and runs through July. A private viewing will even allow her students to experience the show firsthand and join in an artist talk.
Looking ahead, Murphy envisions expanding “LE DRIP” to spotlight overlooked communities — children in foster care, essential workers, and those without homes. Her message remains the same: “You’re valuable, you’re not forgotten, you’re not unseen. You are a work of art, too.”
