The 2025 recipient of the William R. Levin Award for Research in the History of Art since 1750 is Shana Klein, Associate Professor of Art History at Kent State University.
Her proposal, “Spoiled Milk: The Politics of Race and Motherhood in U.S. Art and Visual Culture,” explores motherhood during the long 19th century (1850-1920) during a period of profound change. This book project explores visual depictions of pregnancy, childbirth and infant care and considers how motherhood was politicized as a responsibility to generate and raise “white” citizens.
In 2013, William R. Levin, Professor Emeritus at Centre College, Danville, KY, generously endowed the William R. Levin Award, an annual award of at least $5,000 to encourage and recognize research in art history. A second award, endowed in 2018, provides funding this year to distribute two Levin awards: one to support research before 1750 and one for research after 1750. Dr. Levin has been a member of SECAC since 1987, served on the Board of Directors, published in the scholarly journal The Southeastern College Art Conference Review, and been recognized with three of the organization’s highest honors: the Excellence in Research and Scholarly Publication Award in 2004, the Excellence in Teaching Award and the Exemplary Achievement Award.
The selection committee for the William R. Levin Awards for Research in the History of Art was comprised of the previous award winners, Sarah Archino, chair (Furman University), Yumi Park Huntington (Framingham University), Hallie Meredith (Berea, Washington State University) and Elizabeth Hawley (University of South Alabama).
About Art History at Kent State University
The Kent State art history program examines both the creative expressions of individual artists and the cultures that supported them. Faculty expertise includes African, Asian, American or European, with sub-themes ranging from Renaissance patronage to curatorial studies to critical theory. Kent State University's School of Art offers Art History as a B.A. or M.A. degree, or as a minor.