CAMBRIDGE — Congratulations to Annual Young People’s Show Best in Show winner Mackenzie Clarke-Gainer, 8th grader at North Dorchester High School. Makenzie received the first "Greg's Toolbox", filled with art supplies, sponsored by Bill and Mary Leonard.

This award was created in honor of their son Gregory Allen Leonard as a wonderful way to honor his memory by supporting young artists and encouraging his legacy of fostering creativity and passion. “Bill and Mary would like to thank Barb Seese, director of the Dorchester Center of the Arts (DCA) whose tireless efforts helped to make this a reality,” a statement from DCA said. The award was presented by Greg’s aunt, Donna Stubbs, during the Second Saturday reception on May 11.

Greg’s family says his love for art began at an early age starting with drawing all things from cars to cartoon characters and as he grew, he worked with metals and wood creating many cherished pieces of art.
Greg was a professional firefighter with Anne Arundel County as well as a Life Member of Rescue Fire Company. “Greg selflessly served his community and was always willing to give back,” the statement said. “Greg was diagnosed in March 2021 with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, a fatal neurodegenerative disease, and succumbed to his illness on Nov. 26, 2022, at the age of 33.”

It is the family’s hope that the Greg’s Toolbox award to honor his memory will allow his legacy to live on by encouraging young artists to explore their artistic abilities to the fullest.
The family has also endowed the summer teen art intensive, now named “The Gregory Allen Leonard Young Artist Creative Camp.” This program will be held for four weeks each summer, and tuition is free thanks to Greg’s family. Find details and registration online at dorchesterarts.org.
Complete Young People’s Show winners list:
Elementary Schools:
1st place – Brooklyn Camper, 3rd grade, Hurlock Elementary School
2nd place – Helen Herrera-Roblero, 2nd grade, Hurlock Elementary School
3rd place – Johan Lopez-Velasquez, Kindergarten, Maple Elementary School
Middle Schools:
1st place – Mackenzie Clarke-Gainer, 8th grade, North Dorchester Middle School
2nd place – Autumn Koski, 8th grade, North Dorchester Middle School
3rd place – Reagan Friend, 8th grade, North Dorchester Middle School
High Schools:
1st place – Haylie Seigle, 12th grade, North Dorchester High School
2nd place – Owen Turner, 11th grade, Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
3rd place – Macy Peterson, 10th grade, North Dorchester High School
Top Digital work: Wyatt Parrigin, 7th grade, South Dorchester School
Best in Show: Mackenzie Clarke-Gainer, 8th grade, North Dorchester High School
For additional program information visit online at dorchesterarts.org. Programs are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council. For the latest, vsit Facebook.