By David Nguyen

Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) is benefiting from several generous donations to its jewelry and metalworking classes, most notable from Bend artist Tom Temple, who gave specialized equipment and tools worth $20,000 to the Center’s metal arts program. 

The MAC’s metal arts program now has five dedicated soldering stations, four dedicated kilns, and a greatly enhanced collection of tools, books, and supplies thanks to Temple's generosity. 

The donation has made a significant impact on the Center’s ability to teach the art of metalsmithing. Students uses the equipments to learn techniques like casting metal objects from wax forms, enameling metals, creating metal jewelry, and fusing glass. All instruction is provided by professional teaching artists.

The good news didn’t stop there. The center’s all-volunteer non-profit partner, the Multnomah Arts Center Association, donated $10,000 to improve classroom space. The investments were quickly followed by another $3,000 in-kind donation from Fred Meyer Jewelers.

Photo: Donor Tom Temple