Stephen Mandravelis

Stephen Mandravelis is an Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of the Thompson Gallery of Art at Furman University. His research focuses on the intersection of art, everyday life, and social hierarchies in American contexts, with a specialization in 19th-century visual culture and contemporary self-taught art. He holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2018).

Education:

• Ph.D., Art and Material Culture of the United States, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2018)
• M.A., Rutgers University
• B.A., College of the Holy Cross

Research Interests: Dr. Mandravelis examines how mass-produced visual culture (engravings, magazines, photographs) shaped popular taste and identity among marginalized groups in 19th-century America. His contemporary work critiques systemic inequities in art history through studies of African American vernacular artists in the US South and museum ethics. Methodologically, he integrates cultural anthropology, critical race theory, and material culture studies.

Awards:

• William R. Levin Award for Research in the History of Art Since 1750 (SECAC, 2019)

Advising & Grants: Supported by the Terra Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Royster Society of Fellows. Prior teaching experience at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Thompson Gallery of Art, focusing on curatorial practice and community engagement.