Joe Wilson's bright eyes always gleamed with mischief, and his good humor was paralleled only by his kindness. Joe was every bit the life of the party and lived for the chuckles his antics would invoke. Joe joined the Open Door Art Studio in early 2012 and immediately found a creative home and a new community of friends. Prior to Open Door, he did not paint, but from day one at the studio everything became a potential canvas. He happily snatched up various cardboard tubes and sculptural pieces to use as surfaces to paint his non-objective designs. He seemed to paint less for others and more for himself. While working, he became very focused on the task at hand, and the studio around him simply faded away. Color and shape were important elements of his work, and his style was reminiscent of Helen Frankenthaler's giant Abstract Expressionist creations.

When Joe began at Open Door his entrance would often include a round-house kick à la his hero Walker Texas Ranger. Joe defied health complications and continued to work at the studio up until the time of his death. One might have suspected that using a wheelchair would impede his shenanigans, but that could not have been further from the truth. He was known for his playful jabs like "Kooky" to any person that crossed his path, but he would immediately follow his sharp words with a heart-melting grin. He paired this humor with a love of music and performance and had a willing audience at Open Door.

It would be a major omission not to mention the love of Joe's large family. Born into a family with nine brothers and sisters, Joe spent a great deal of time with various relatives, including a myriad of nieces and nephews. Joe was born in 1961, an era when parents were just beginning to keep their children born with Down syndrome at home. When meeting any member of the Wilson family it is clear they have consistently chosen love and acceptance over stigma. With this support, Joe flourished and he became a completely unique mix of sweetness and spunk. In the last decade of his life, Joe called Park West Court Apartments home. He was also adored at the Fresenius Medical Care - Mount Carmel West, where he received dialysis. Joe passed away on December 15, 2013 due to complications from hip surgery.

This affable friend, determined artist, and charming crooner will be greatly missed by his family and his adoring fans at Open Door Art Studio and beyond.

Joe's Hometown Festival

Joe clowning around with Cat Lynch