Elka Marie Stevens

Dr. Elka Marie Stevens is an Associate Professor of visual culture and studio art in the Department of Art at Howard University. She serves as program coordinator for the Fashion Design (BFA/MFA) concentration and curator of the Fashion, Textiles, and Accessories Collection. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Minnesota.

• Current Howard University Affiliated Faculty at the American Academy in Rome (2023)
• Co-Chair of Howard University Junior Faculty Summer Writing and Creative Works Academy (2016–present)

Her research explores intersections of visual and material culture, globalization, communication, design, and identity. Key projects include analyzing media’s role in design pedagogy, nationalist costume in film, and professorial impression management. She is also developing digital humanities initiatives such as digitizing historic costume collections and creating searchable databases focused on Black political figures and African American designers.

Stevens’ creative practice spans graphic art, fiber arts, and mixed media, emphasizing identity, sustainability, and social justice. Notable works include her solo exhibition 38.8% Visualizing Racial Identity in Search of Selfhood and Others (2022) at Michigan State University, garment recreations for Alma Thomas’s traveling exhibition, and four quilts commemorating Howard University’s Junior Faculty Summer Academies. Her studio practice integrates archival methodologies using historical imagery like the Brooks slave ship and historic maps.

She brings 30 years of industry experience to courses in fashion design, textiles, international trade, Black visual culture, cross-cultural design, consumer behavior, and entrepreneurship. Her international engagements include work in Ghana, the UK, Cuba, South Africa, Japan, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Iceland, and India.

Scientific Awards & Philanthropy:

• 2019-2020 AIIS Fellow
• 2021 Brandeis Summer Institute for Israel Studies Fellow
• Established faculty conference presentation endowment
• Co-creator of writing retreat fellowship

Faculty Development Leadership: Serves on fellowship award selection committees and mentors junior faculty in scholarly productivity, goal-setting, and career management.