Help Joel Washington Stay Housed

For over 40 years Joel has worked full time for Indiana University, diligently he has tried to afford the rising costs of living in Bloomington, support his loved ones, and create his internationally acclaimed art. In 2023 Joel began dealing with harrowing medical issues that kept him hospitalized and out of work for over a year. Now he is facing potential eviction. He is in urgent need of the support from his community to raise the funds to keep him housed and build a safety net.

Joel is a self taught Black artist. His work has been displayed in the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, the Indiana State Museum, in the home of Quincy Jones (and many others), across the Indiana University Campus and in countless local businesses. In 2021 Bloomington honored him as a "Living Legend" and a gala at the Neal Marshall Black Cultural Center recognized his incredible work. Now he needs our help.

At 65 Joel still works hard every day. Whether he's at work keeping the Indiana Memorial Union cared for or at home painting portraits of community members and cultural icons he can always be found with a warm smile and infectious laugh. Joel has been a vibrant member of the Bloomington community his whole life. He was one of Harmony Schools first ever students and graduated from Harmony in 1978. As written on the bloomingtonstoriespod instagram "Joel Washington is one of those superheroes of Bloomington who walks among us like he’s no big deal."

Joels generous contributions to his community know no bounds. Whether it's through inspiring people to believe in themselves (Herald Times) or helping loved ones when in need he has shown his true character again and again. Let's show him that we have his back.