It is with enormous gratitude that I share this news with you...
The MAC Metals program is the lucky recipient of Tom Temple's impressive collection of metalsmithing tools and equipment. Tom is an accomplished ceramic and metal artist living in Bend. He taught art for many years and established the ceramics and metals programs at Central Oregon Community College - right down to designing the studios.
I learned about Tom almost a year ago from fellow metalsmith Greg Wilbur whose wife, Sandy, was an art student of Tom's in high school. Since then, we have been in conversations about his desire to pass on his studio tools and supplies to a metals program in need. I'm so honored that he chose MAC!
Tom and his wife, Phillis (a talented artist and teacher in her own right, pictured with Tom above), spent months cataloging and packing the contents of Tom's studio to ready things for me to pick up this summer. If you're a current student, you have probably noticed that the new enameling kiln and enamels are already in use in MAC's studio. Additional tools, books and equipment will be integrated in the coming weeks as storage becomes available.
During my visit to Bend for the pickup two weeks ago, I had the honor of staying with the Temples in their beautiful, art-filled (and artful!) home (see garden photo below). They also took the time to show me around Bend, and I was deeply moved by how many people approached both Tom and Phillis on the street, in galleries and in restaurants to acknowledge the influence they have had on their lives (or their parents', or even grandparents'!). The experience really inspired me to strive to be a better teacher.
Thank you, Tom and Phillis, for very generously endowing us with these precious tools and supplies. They will really help MAC Metals grow to the next level. And thanks to Greg Wilbur for making this connection possible!
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