Chip Thomas

Chip Thomas is being described as a 'genius' in a new profile from the Alamosa Citizen. Thomas, a physician and public artist known for large-scale black-and-white wheat-pasted images installed across the Navajo Nation, is being celebrated for merging his medical work in rural communities with art that reflects the people and landscapes there.

Chip Thomas, a Wake Forest University alumnus, has been named a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, often called the 'genius grant,' which awards unrestricted funds to people showing exceptional creativity. Thomas is known for combining art and activism, and the honor recognizes his distinctive work. The award, announced by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is among the most prestigious prizes in American arts and sciences.