Two Mainers Win MacArthur “Genius Grant,” Each Receive $800,000

Two Mainers were among 22 individuals honored Wednesday with the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as a “Genius Grant,” which recognizes “exceptional, creative, and inspiring people” and comes with an unrestricted award of $800,000.

According to the Kennebec Journal, Jeremy Frey, a 46-year-old Passamaquoddy artist from Eddington, and Margaret Wickens Pearce, an Indigenous cartographer based in Rockland, were both named as fellows by the MacArthur Foundation for their groundbreaking work in art and mapping.

Frey, who grew up on the Passamaquoddy Reservation at Motahkomikuk (Indian Township), has transformed the Wabanaki tradition of basketmaking from a practical craft into internationally recognized fine art, the news paper reported.

More than 20 years ago, he began exploring the medium at a time when basketry was largely considered a woodland craft. Today, his work is showcased in contemporary art galleries around the world.

“This is the culmination of that,” Frey said of the award. “This is the thing I was never actually going to get.” His innovation includes experimenting with unusual materials, such as dyed porcupine quills, and demonstrating technical mastery that pushes the boundaries of traditional basketry, said the KJ.

“He is incredible,” said Richard Silliboy, a Mi’kmaq elder and renowned basketmaker. “We taught his mother back in the early ’90s. She taught her two sons, and they just went above and beyond.”

Frey admitted he was speechless when the MacArthur Foundation called to inform him of the fellowship about a month ago. “I’m just numb,” he said after a call with the other 21 recipients. “I know how big this is. But it still doesn’t feel real.” he told the Kennebec Journal.

Looking ahead, Frey is considering ways to use the award to adapt to challenges facing his craft. With brown ash, the primary material for his work, increasingly threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer, he plans to explore alternative materials. He is also considering building a metal shop to create large-scale steel sculptures of his basketry, designed for public display and capable of withstanding the elements, the KJ reported.

The fellowship highlights not only Frey’s artistry but also the enduring relevance and evolution of Indigenous craft traditions in the modern art world.