We mourn the passing of long-time shipyard artist JoeSam. He died peacefully on June 1, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was 85 years old.
JoeSam. (period intentional) was instrumental in starting the STAR Artist-in-Residence program in 1996, providing a free studio to talented young community artist Malik Seneferu. Malik has since become a very successful artist with a permanent studio at the shipyard, thanks in part to JoeSam.’s support.
When JoeSam. first rented his studio in 1986, he was one of only two Black artists at the shipyard. Besides pursuing his own art, he tirelessly worked to increase access for Black artists to the shipyard studios. He also publicly criticized local museums for not including the work of artists of color, particularly Black artists.
