Artist and activist Carrie Mae Weems has had one incredible year. The Portland, Oregon native who now resides in New York not only received the Mac Arthur Genius Fellowship, awarded to a very select few of the best and brightest in the arts and academy, but she also was acknowledged by the Gordon Parks foundation alongside Donna Karan, Swizz Beatz and others. But it doesn't stop there, Weems, 60, just opened a thirty-year retrospective of her work on display (now through May 14) at the Guggenheim Museum titled, "Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video." Her contributions to the art world and beyond have influenced both peers like Deb Willis and future generations like Mickalene Thomas and Hank Willis Thomas alike. And next month, BET will honor her with the Visual Arts Award at BET Honors.

Check out our exclusive interview with Carrie Mae Weems musing on her career, her influences and her impact as part of our "The Artist's Way" series. And make sure to tune in on February 24, 2014 at 9PM for BET Honors.  

(photo: John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)