His major training as an artist took place at the Nova Scotia College of Art (today NASCAD) with Henry Mortikar Rosenberg, graduating in 1928.
In 1929, MacKay did graduate studies at the Chelsea School of Art in London, England, where, among his other teachers was Graham Sutherland.
[4] Already in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve,[5] MacKay entered active service in 1939 as a lieutenant.
A show of these works was organized by curated by Gemey Kelly for the Dalhousie University Art Gallery in 1989.
[1] Anong his awards he received a Silver Medal from the Royal Institute of Canadian Architects; "Allied Arts Medal" (1955), was made a Fellow, Royal Society of Arts (1955); and he received a Canada Council Fellowship, and a Visitor's Grant from the British Council.