Syracuse artist Carrie May Weems receives top honor from President Biden, makes history

President Joe Biden awarded Syracuse artist Carrie Mae Weems the National Medal of Arts in a historic ceremony at the White House on Monday.
Weems, a world-renowned artist who lives in Syracuse and the first-ever artist-in-residence at Syracuse University, is the first African-American female visual artist to receive the National Medal of Arts. It is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government in recognition of “outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.”