OGESE THEOPHILUS MACKAY

Ogese Theophilus Mackay, born November 23, 1896 on St. Croix, did not discover painting until the age of 90. In need of an outlet for his grief in the wake of his wife’s death, his daughter (pictured above) suggested he try a senior citizen art class. Ogese demonstrated a natural talent instantly and would go on to spend the last ten years of his life as a painter, showing and selling his work. Before Ogese picked up the paintbrush, he had been a musician playing in the US Naval band and at venues in New York during the Harlem Renaissance. Ogese also had a background in cabinetry, had been a devoted father to six, and a loving husband.