Portland Parks & Recreation’s Multnomah Arts Center Gallery Receives Total Makeover Thanks to Generous Support from Local Businesses

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(Portland,OR) –

A major gallery renovation at Portland Parks & Recreation’s Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) has just been completed, thanks to significant donated work and in-kind support from area businesses and partners. SERA Architects, Mortenson Construction, and Cascade Acoustics each committed generous contributions of funds and labor to make the gallery restoration possible.

“SERA is committed to helping non-profit organizations that positively impact Portland in the fields of arts, culture and education,” says Gauri Rajbaidya, who led this project at SERA Architects. “The gallery renovation for Multnomah Arts Center was a perfect opportunity for us to help the Multnomah Arts Association Board and make a contribution to our community. The Arts Center didn’t have the capital for the project, so we were happy to bring together design and construction professionals to provide the pro-bono work needed to make the vision a reality.”

Additional support has been provided from Rosendin Electric, Fine Painting, Performance Abatement Services, Temp Control Mechanical, Viking Automatic Sprinklers, KPFF Structural and Civil Engineering, PAE Consulting Engineering, Solus Lighting, and Northern Illumination Company. Portland Parks & Recreation and MAC thank them for their collective leadership, generosity, and vision.

“Collaborations such as this between Portland Parks & Recreation and our valued area partners make it possible to enhance Portlanders’ quality of life in a time of limited public resources,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “We are proud of the steadfast support these community businesses have provided. This initiative has resulted in a beautiful gallery that generations of Portlanders will enjoy.”

During the past 30 years, Portland Parks & Recreation’s MAC gallery has showcased the artwork of more than 300 regional artists, arts collectives, and group shows. In that time, more than 100,000 visitors have enjoyed the creativity of emerging and established professional artists from the region.

After three decades of heavy traffic in the gallery, the Multnomah Arts Center Association (MACA), an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that supports the mission of MAC, made it a priority to renovate the popular gallery space into a beautiful state-of-the-art venue that is flexible, professional and displays a wide variety of art in different forms.

COME SEE THE NEW GALLERY!

The first show in the new & improved Multnomah Arts Center Gallery is up now and will run through October 2. “Ceramics from the Snow Mountain Kiln” is a group show of wood fired ceramics by artists Lew Allen,Lori Allen, Rob Lamb, and Mark Prieto.

About the MAC Gallery Renovation:

Total value of donated design, labor, and in-kind materials: $118,300Approximate number of hours of donated time: 1,200In addition to the business community’s demonstrated support, more than 100 community members have donated funds exceeding $10,500.  By converting to LED lights and advanced dimming controls, the MAC will reduce energy usage in the gallery by more than 50%, while providing far better quality and adaptability to different art media.

There will be a reception for the MAC Instructor Show on November 1, 5-7pm. This will include the dedication of a permanent gallery plaque recognizing the generous supporters of the renovation. The work of MAC partners and supporters will have an enduring impact on the local arts community.

About MAC - MAC serves over 1,500 students of all ages and abilities in the visual, performing, and literary arts each term. A program of Portland Parks & Recreation, its mission is to provide accessible, high-quality instruction & participation in the arts to all interested persons at an affordable cost. Programs run year-round, and scholarships are available.

About MACA - MACA is an all volunteer nonprofit organization that supports the vibrancy and health of MAC through fundraising and advocacy.

For more information, call MAC Director Michael Walsh at 503-823-2284 or email Michael.Walsh@PortlandOregon.gov.