WOMAN OF THE YEAR

member photo

Joyce E. Gordon

Narrative: Joyce Gordon is an accomplished Calligrapher. She designs original calligraphic pieces, such as, proclamations, charters, resolutions and awards of recognition, appreciation and the like for businesses, organizations and private individuals. Her work has been commissioned by groups such as Sprint Corporation, Armco Steel Corporation, Apparelmaster, The International Drycleaners Congress, The International Ozone Association and the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Joyce Gordon’s work has been also utilized by Universities including, Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio), Butler University and Indiana University (IUPUI and Bloomington). She has created artwork for social fraternal organizations including Sigma Chi, Delta Zeta and Beta Theta Pi and the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. Her American Forests and MasterCard Global ReLeaf /Jean Giono Award was presented at the Executive White House. At the time of the Millennium, she was invited to create a piece for the Mus’ee du Stylo Exhibition in Paris. Her work was selected for exhibition in the 13th Annual Art Competition and Exhibit by International Graphics, Inc. and she received an Award of Distinction by the Nationwide Paper Company for her book Miami Album. Most recently, she created the Dedication Page to Queen Elizabeth for the Special Edition of E. Charles Nelson and David Elliot’s book The Curious Mr. Catesby, of which, copy number one with original artwork, resides at Windsor Castle in England. Other copies of the Special Edition are in private and public collections including the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

Joyce married Gilbert Gordon in 1957 and they have two children, Thomas and Lyndi. Although Joyce received her degree in Foods and Nutrition at Michigan State University, she also had a strong interest in Art and Design. In the late sixties she was introduced to the new, burgeoning U.S. interest in calligraphy by a former student of Lloyd Reynolds, Professor of Calligraphy at Reed College in Oregon. (Steve Jobs was also a student of Lloyd Reynolds.) She studied in calligraphy workshops in the U.S. and then spent a part of four summers studying in England. Joyce applied for, and was admitted to the last Master’s Class taught by Hermann Zapf (1918-2015) of Germany, considered by many to be the best calligrapher and type designer of his time. During a four month stay in Tokyo she studied in the bookbinding studio of Nobe Okano.

Communities where she has lived have benefited from her time and energy. Twice she served as Vice President of University Newcomers (U.of Iowa and Miami of Ohio) and she then served as President of the Miami University Women. A passion for food and wine by Joyce and her husband led to the creation of Oxford Winetasters, now 26 years in existence; the annual Performing Arts Wine Tasting Gala and Auction the profits of which are invested back into the community; and, more recently, working with people in the food industry and other volunteers to create the biennial Chef’s Celebration which, each time, nets about $100,000, to benefit the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Joyce and her husband, amongst others, were founding members of the Escoffier Society of Cincinnati which creates events in support of young chefs and the love of food and wine. While in Iowa City she, and another parishioner, created a program called HELP which connected personal needs of the less fortunate in the community to a volunteer in their church.

A passionate interest in different cultures has led her to work with students and faculty from many countries. When Joyce was a young girl she developed a wish to take a crayon and color in places on a map as she visited them during her lifetime. Right now it is a very colorful map in that she has visited over 45 countries and all continents except Antarctica- and she is working on that.

Title: Calligrapher
Industry: Art/Calligraphy
Type of Organization: Self-Employed
Major Product/Service: Providing calligraphy and original artwork for private and public collections as well as businesses
Expertise: Joyce Gordon is an accomplished Calligrapher. She designs original calligraphic pieces, such as proclamations, charters, resolutions and awards of recognition, appreciation and the like for businesses, organizations and private individuals. Her work has been commissioned by groups such as Sprint Corporation, Armco Steel Corporation, Apparelmaster, The International Drycleaners Congress, The International Ozone Association and the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Joyce Gordon’s work has also been utilized by Universities including, Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio), Butler University and Indiana University (IUPUI and Bloomington). She has created artwork for social fraternal organizations including Sigma Chi, Delta Zeta and Beta Theta Pi and the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi.
Geographic Area of Distribution: International
University/Degree: Foods and Nutrition, Michigan State University, 1960; Master’s Calligraphy Class, taught by Herman Zapf; Studied Bookbinding, Nobe Okano Studio, Tokyo; Workshops; 4 summers studying, England
Hobbies/Sports: Travel, food, wine
Spouse: Gilbert Gordon
Married: 1957
Children: Tom, Lyndi
Honors & Awards: Created the Dedication Page to Queen Elizabeth for the recently published special edition of E. Charles Nelson and David Elliot’s "The Curious Mister Catesby," of which copy number 1, with original artwork, resides at Windsor Castle in England; Other copies of the Special Edition are in private or public collections including the Smithsonian in Washington, DC
Published Works: Included in numerous books
Career Accomplishments: Joyce Gordon's American Forests and MasterCard Global ReLeaf /Jean Giono Award was presented at the Executive White House. At the time of the Millennium, she was invited to create a piece for the Mus’ee du Stylo Exhibition in Paris. Her work was selected for exhibition in the 13th Annual Art Competition and Exhibit by International Graphics, Inc. and she received an Award of Distinction by the Nationwide Paper Company for her book Miami Album.