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Joe Sposita

Portrait of Billy Miller | 12″ x 16″ | Photograph | 1979


Artist Statement

Joseph Gene Sposita, Native Detroiter (February 16, 1956 – December 11, 2014)
Everyone who knew Joe adored Joe. He was not just extraordinarily handsome, he was talented, funny, kind, humble, fun, all the good things you say about someone. 
Joe loved music. His passion for photography began by shooting the early Detroit performances of Bowie, The Stooges, Roxy Music, the New York Dolls, and numerous celebrities. He would stake out a spot at parties and shoot portraits of all of our crazy friends. He became the principal photographer for Fun and Orbit Magazines. He graduated from CCS in 1981. Joe assisted at the famous Boulevard studio in Highland Park, Michigan. He became a principal photographer at a large studio in Milwaukee Wisconsin and won numerous Addy Awards.  His innovative style was respected and revered. 
Loving friend, fellow artist and a wonderful human being, he is greatly missed. 
– Written by Katy Hait and S. Kay Young

Artwork/s at the following locations:
Scarab Club

MR/QD Is Made Possible BY

Artists stipends made possible by Kresge Arts in Detroit

For details and more info on making a contribution to Mighty Real/Queer Detroit, please contact us at info@mrqd.org

About MR/QD

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is an art exhibition in June 2022 devoted to 77 years (1945-2022) of Detroit LGBTQ+ art 

The exhibition presents a month-long historical examination of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and its longtime allies, featuring established & emerging Detroit artists, as well as artists whose careers were shortened by HIV/AIDS.

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to promoting positive and meaningful images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through artistic and intellectual means. © 2023. All Rights Reserved.