Sharon Gerstel

Sharon E. J. Gerstel is Director of the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture, professor of Byzantine Art and Archaeology in the Department of Art History at UCLA, and the George P. Kolovos Family Centennial Term Chair in Hellenic Studies. Trained in art history, religious studies, and archaeology, Gerstel’s work investigates ritual, art, and material culture as well as acoustics and cultural heritage. Her ongoing research focuses on weaving in traditional villages in Greece and the Interwar Generation. Related to these interests are two recent publications: Weaving Dreams: Kilims from Geraki, Laconia/Υφαίνοντας όνειρα. Κιλίμια από το Γεράκι Λακωνίας (co-edited with Sofia Pitouli) (Athens, 2025) and Remembrance of the Past: Photis Kontoglou, Andreas Xyngopoulos, Panayiotis Poulitsas and the Village of Geraki, Lakonia (Athens, 2026). She has also worked intensively to preserve medieval buildings in Greece, particularly in rural settings. For her contributions to the promotion of Hellenic Culture, she was named a Commander of the Order of the Phoenix and was also naturalized as a Greek citizen.