K. Bevin Butler

Kelly Bevin Butler serves as Assistant Professor of Art History in the Department of Art, Craft, & Design at Tennessee Tech University's School of Art, Craft & Design, where she teaches courses emphasizing art history's role in developing empathy, critical thinking, and visual literacy.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Art History, Theory & Criticism from Arizona State University (2021)

Dr. Butler's research critically investigates gender dynamics in art through the lens of historical textile production, particularly focusing on how medieval nuns' embroideries and tapestries challenged ecclesiastical hierarchies and redefined associations between textiles and femininity. Her work interrogates the historiography of craft categorization, analyzing distinctions between decorative arts, applied arts, and fine arts while highlighting marginalized contributions to artistic traditions. This scholarly approach extends to her classroom practice, where she connects historical analysis with contemporary critical theory to foster deeper cultural understanding among students.