What leads a dedicated art therapist and counselor to reconnect with her artistic roots after a 36-year career? For Maria Gregory, the answer is a blend of family, heritage, and an unyielding love for creativity.
“I grew up in Broomall, Pennsylvania,” Maria shares. “My dad, Father Gregory, was the founding priest of St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church. We moved to Philadelphia when I was young, and he spent 30 years building up the community, growing the parish from just 25 families to over 600.” Born in Weirton, West Virginia, Maria’s early life was steeped in the traditions of her Greek heritage, shaped by her father’s dedication and the close-knit community around her.
Maria’s family history is one of resilience and survival. Her father’s side escaped the genocide in Asia Minor, arriving in the United States in 1923. “My Papou and Yiayia were the only ones who survived, so there was no extended family,” she recalls. On her mother’s side, Maria’s grandfather came to America before World War II and built a successful contracting business, but the war kept the family separated for years. “My grandmother took the kids to Mykonos during the war, hoping for safety, but it was a tough time with food shortages under Nazi occupation,” Maria explains.
Art was always a part of Maria’s life. She studied painting at Tyler School of Fine Art and later pursued textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “I loved being an artist, but I realized I needed practical skills,” she says. Despite her artistic training, Maria’s path led her into a different kind of service. “I was drawn to helping children with emotional difficulties, so I went back to school at Hahnemann University and became a licensed professional counselor.” For over three decades, she worked tirelessly in behavioral health, including 15 years in private practice.
In 2022, Maria took a leap of faith, returning to her artistic roots. “After retiring, I started painting again and discovered a way to turn my art into textiles. That’s how MG Design Trends was born,” she says. The wearable art company features Maria’s vibrant designs on scarves, tote bags, and home furnishings, blending her love of color and texture with inspiration from her travels. Her creations have found success in shops and galleries, including the prestigious PAFA Museum Gift Shop.
Maria’s Greek heritage continues to inspire her work. Fluent in Greek, she frequently visits Greece to reconnect with family and find fresh ideas. “Philotimo—love of honor and kindness—guides my actions every day,” she says. “Whether it’s checking on a neighbor or simply being considerate, it’s about doing good quietly.”
Beyond her art, Maria’s passions include singing in choirs, gardening, reading, and advocating for women’s rights. “I’m proud of my heritage. Greeks are resilient, and we carry that strength everywhere we go,” she reflects. Her grandmother’s words still echo in her mind: “Do your cross and go forward.”
Now based in Elkins Park with her husband and cat, Maria continues to explore new creative ventures. She’s particularly excited about her latest project: custom crossbody bags that feature her own original designs. “This project feels so personal because it’s entirely mine, from concept to creation,” she says with pride.
Maria Gregory’s journey is a powerful reminder that life often circles back to the passions that define us. “As Churchill once said, people won’t say that Greeks fight like heroes; they’ll say that heroes fight like Greeks,” she quotes, capturing the spirit of her own life’s path. Maria’s story is an inspiring testament to the joy of reconnecting with what we love and finding new ways to share it with the world.