April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Parish boosts artist
Mr. Leonard, 72, has drawn or painted pictures of cartoon characters and seasonal settings for the Center, but he's never had the kind of public recognition he's getting for his Spectrum exhibit.
"This is the first time in my life I've ever had my work on display," he said.
Young artist
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mr. Leonard enjoyed drawing as a child and even won $500 in a contest. "I always liked to scratch on paper as far back as I can remember," he said.After spending his youth in Philadelphia and South Carolina, and being raised by his "strict" grandmother, Mr. Leonard joined the military and had some of his drawings published in an Army newspaper. Around 1950, he made his way to the Albany Diocese from Virginia and worked picking apples in Voorheesville.
During his years in Albany, Mr. Leonard has worked at such places as the Schaefer Brewery, the Tobin packing plant and the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints. He also worked as a lifeguard at the Lincoln Pool, where a girl called him "Cha-Cha," which became his nickname.
Inner-city parish
In recent years, Mr. Leonard has gotten to know people at St. John/St. Ann's Church, and they've come to see that he's a gifted artist. A parish volunteer asked him to draw a card for Rev. John Kirwin, parish priest, and that illustration led to him drawing at St. John/St. Ann's each Wednesday with the kids who come with family members to the food pantry.From 10 a.m. to noon, Mr. Leonard draws and guides the children as they color outlines of such cartoon characters as Winnie the Pooh and Tweety. His presence makes it fun for kids as their family members get food, according to Mary Malcolm, parish outreach director.
"He's great with the kids, and they're not thinking about why they're here," she said. "Some of the adults will sit down and draw, and it works all the way around."
On display
The kids' artwork and Mr. Leonard's own drawings hang on the walls of the Center and greet visitors who come to the parish food pantry each week. There's his "The Last Supper," which depicts a cross, bread and wine, and roses. His Christmas and New Year's posters wish visitors well during the holiday season, and anti-drug posters graphically show the dangers of young people using drugs."I use drawing as an outlet," he said. "I'll see things and draw them, or something comes to mind. When you draw, it takes your mind off things, like a good book."
A newspaper ad seeking artwork to be displayed at the Spectrum prompted Ms. Malcolm to suggest Mr. Leonard's work, and a parishioner mounted and hung his drawings for the exhibit.
Mr. Leonard will continue drawing with the kids who come to the parish each Wednesday because St. John/St. Ann's is one of his favorite places.
"These are some of the nicest people I've met in my life," he said. "They don't just give away food; they give love."
(12-23-99) [[In-content Ad]]
MORE NEWS STORIES
- Washington Roundup: Breakdown of Trump-Musk relationship, wrongly deported man returned
- National Eucharistic Pilgrimage protests, Wisconsin Catholic Charities, Uganda terrorists thwarted | Week in Review
- Traditional Pentecost pilgrimage comes in middle of heated TLM discussion in French church
- Report: Abuse allegations and costs down, but complacency a threat
- Expectant mom seeking political asylum in US urges protection of birthright citizenship
- Living Pentecost
- The Acts of the Apostles and ‘The Amazing Race’
- Movie Review: Final Destination Bloodlines
- Movie Review: The Ritual
- NJ diocese hopes proposed law will resolve religious worker visa problems
Comments:
You must login to comment.