Gene Kangas is a third generation Finnish American who was born in Fairport Harbor, Ohio in 1944. He is an artist, author and teacher, retiring from Cleveland State University in 1998 as Professor Emeritus. He has exhibited his artwork internationally, won many awards and received numerous public sculpture commissions. The most recent was the designing of the granite and stainless steel “Finnish Monument” in Veteran’s Memorial Park in Fairport Harbor. In addition, Gene has been the primary curator for at least fourteen different exhibitions. He has lectured on various art topics internationally and his artwork is included in many public and private collections. In May of 2004, Gene Kangas was appointed as the new and first Director of the Finnish Heritage Museum in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Now he is the originator and Director of the Finnish American Virtual Museum – FAVM.