Joseph Stuart

Joseph Martin Stuart, Nov. 9, 1932 to Dec. 9, 2016, passed away at home at age 84. He was born in Seminole, OK to Archer and Lillian (Lindsey) Stuart. His siblings Bob, Bill, Tom and Catherine predeceased him. Joe attended high school in Albuquerque and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He received his BA and Master’s degrees in art from UNM under the GI Bill. He was an accomplished artist and served as museum director and curator at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, U of Oregon Museum of Art, Boise Art Museum, the Salt Lake City Art Center and the South Dakota Art Museum (South Dakota State University) where he was also professor of art history. He appreciated art in all forms and was a champion of modern and contemporary art- working to create opportunities for regional artists wherever he worked. Joe was a life-long Democrat and skeptic.. always questioning authority and rooting for the underdog. He was a modest man with a dry, cynical sense of humor. He loved playing golf for its beauty and challenge... for him it was more than just a game. He was a docent at Site Santa Fe, and the Wheelwright Museum and delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. His wife Signe, daughter Lisë (Tim Shinabarger), grandson Shilo Stuart-Pope, granddaughter Niles (José Alvarez) and great grandchildren Sofía and Augustavo- will miss him greatly. (We love you, Joe!) A special thanks from Joe and his family to Carmella Montoya for managing his care and comforting Joe and for the loving care from Nena, Annie, Ted, Poem and Margarita from Ambercare Hospice. In keeping with Joe’s inclination to procrastinate, a celebration in his honor will be held sometime after the Ides of March, 2017. In lieu of flowers- please consider a gift to Planned Parenthood, ACLU, Santa Fe Animal Shelter, or the Stuart Artist in Residence Program at South Dakota State University.