Footsteps Through Heritage, African American History Exhibit On Display at the French Art Colony

The French Art Colony is honored to showcase, “Footsteps Through Heritage”, an African American history exhibit from the collection of Robert Gordon. His collection includes artifacts, educational materials, regional history and family genealogy. Gordon has assistance from fellow historian Elaine Armstrong and support from the John Gee Black Historical Center.

Robert Gordon and Elaine Armstrong will be onhand for a gallery talk on Tuesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this free event, explore the gallery exhibit and discuss the collection with Gordon and Armstrong.

Robert Gordon has been privileged to represent the communities of Appalachian Ohio on various civic and professional boards and committees; most recently Ohio Governor John Kasich announced the appointment of Gordon to the Martin Luter King, Jr. Holiday Commission. He also currently serves on the Ohio Humanities Board of Directors. Gordon’s maternal family’s “Journey Story” will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Ohio Humainities “Pathways” Magazine.

In the past Gordon served as President of the Annual Emancipation Day Celebration, Inc. In addition, he co-founded the Emancipation Proclamation Scholarship Fund that continues to enhance educational attainment by area youth of African American heritage. Gordon is a frequent contributor to the Gallia County Martin Luther King, Jr Day Program sponsored by the SE Branch of the NAACP.

Professionally, Gordon provides technical, operational and facilitation services to nonprofit, public and private sector organizations through his position as Project Manager at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. He also coordinates the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress and organizes recruitment activities for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs.

Gordon previously served as the Southeast Regional Site Manager for the Ohio Certified Public Manager Program through the Voinovich School. Prior to joining the Voinovich School in 2004, Robert had served as Manager of the Children’s Residential Treatment Program, Executive Director of the Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) Program, and City Manager of Gallipolis, Ohio.

Robert holds a BS degree in Communications with an emphasis of Public Relations from the University of Rio Grande and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM).
Make plans to experience this amazing exhibit, continuing through Sunday, March 2. As always, it is absolutely free to visit the French Art Colony Galleries. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.