Adult & Continuing Education (ACE)

Art with Tom Murphy

With a love of painting and drawing, Tom Murphy has been successfully sharing his own passion, wisdom and experienced techniques with his students for over a decade. As an art instructor for MATC's Adult and Continuing Education Program, he reaches out to those who, like himself, consider art to be a serious hobby. Born and raised in Eau Claire, Murphy grew up during the depression. After spending two years in the Navy during WWII, he put his desire to attend art school on hold, and decided to pursue a career in writing, hoping the outcome would grant him the opportunity to find steady work. “I always liked to write too,” says Murphy. After writing for his high school paper in Eau Claire, he went on to earn a degree in Journalism from UW Madison, graduating in 1949.

Murphy's journey through life after graduating entailed a number of exciting and challenging occupations all around the state of Wisconsin, including advertising, publication in the electrical industry, publications about history, as well as PR for a credit union insurance company. He even moved to Chicago and wrote television scripts for WGN, becoming the very first writer on the Bozo Show. With each and every profession he attempted, he never forgot his enthusiasm for art. “In the back of my mind, I always loved art and painting,” says Murphy. With each new job and each new residence, he devoted nights and weekends to taking art classes. “I have always drawn and painted as a hobby.” The final stop on his writing career path was right here in Madison, where he was the editor of the Wisconsin Alumni Magazine for 21 years before retiring in 1990. “I always loved Madison, having gone to school here,” says Murphy. He attended classes through the UW Extension Art Department, as well as through MATC. After sending in photographs of his paintings to MATC in 1996, Murphy was given the opportunity to teach art classes. He has been a part of the Adult and Continuing Education Program ever since. He is now able to give back to his students all that he learned when he himself was a student for MATC, impacting the lives of a variety of people. “I've had students in their late 80's and down to their 30's.” says Murphy, “I meet great people, some who keep coming back semester after semester. When people go into art in their adult years, they're not pressured to get a degree. It's a hobby, but it's a hobby they take quite seriously.” Along with educating and inspiring others through teaching, Murphy also has his art work displayed in various galleries around the midwest, including “Arts Unlimited” in Sherwood, Wisconsin, as well as “The Vern Carver and Beard Gallery” in Minneapolis. The Fanny Garver Gallery located on State Street, which has been displaying his work for the past 10 years, approached him and two other artists to do an art show called “Wisconsin Landscapes” for the entire month of August 2008. He used photographs from friends and students from class, as well as memories from his childhood in Eau Claire to help spark ideas for pieces in the show. Murphy lives in the moment with each painting he paints. “It's fun and challenging. My favorite piece is always the one I'm working on.” Most of his work he completes in the basement of the west side apartment building where he and his wife reside. While most residents use the space to store patio furniture, Murphy uses it as his art studio. “I go anytime I get a chance.”

With three grown children, all of whom have families of their own, and a lifetime of achievements along his career path, Murphy continues to educate and inspire people every day, not only through his teaching, but through his dedication to his own passion for art.

Tom Murphy teaches oil and acrylic painting on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Last Modified: August 8, 2008

top