There’s something to be said for “being able to take a clump of mud and make it into something useful” — something you can eat poblano potato soup out of.
Nearly 400 hand-crafted bowls went on sale Feb. 15 during Empty Bowls Hill Country, an annual fundraiser that brings artists, charities and the community together for a common cause.
Potter and teacher Sherri Jo Adams organized the event, an international grassroots effort to raise money for food-related charities.
Local artists created bowls of all sizes, shapes and designs, which were donated for Empty Bowls. Paying guests arrive and choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder of empty bowls that exist the world over.
Proceeds from the sale went to the Hill Country Family Services “country cupboard,” a local grocery store that provides food assistance.
Empty Bowls “has been going on since the ‘90s and is an easy way to do a fundraiser,” Adams said. “I have about six or seven professional artists, 25 students who make bowls, and then myself.”
This year, artists produced 380 bowls; 300 tickets were sold online, leaving 80 bowl tickets for sale at the door at First United Methodist Church on James Street.
She also described the tiered ticket system, including early access passes.
“We have super passes where 25 people pay $75,” she said. “They come in 30 minutes early to choose their bowls. After they have selected theirs, everyone else can come in.”
And the event’s impact is significant.
“This is the second year we’ve done Hill Country Family Services, and we’ll probably choose another charity next year,” she said. “ Last year, we raised $11,000, so hopefully, it’ll be close to that this year.”
The variety of handmade bowls reflects the diverse talents involved.
“My Thursday night class did ladybugs on all their pots, and a couple of octopuses. One of the classes did tissue transfer. So, there’s a large variety of bowls,” Adams said.
Veteran potter Elizabeth Major shared her long-term connection to Empty Bowls.
“I’ve been doing this for about 20 years,” Majors said. “When we first started, the instructions were to make sure that it’s a bowl that you can put soup in.
“But since then, people have migrated toward some bowls that aren’t necessarily soup-friendly. It’s something that you could put crackers in,” she said.
Recovering from a wrist injury, Major showcased some of her hand-built creations.
“ Since I broke my wrist, I had to handthrow my pots, so they are not soup-friendly,” she explained. “But you could fill it with fruit and put it in the middle of your dinner table.”
Fellow potter Geri Clous expressed her gratitude for Adams’s instruction.
“She’s a catalyst that has caused all of this to happen. It’s just the love of being able to take a clump of mud and make it into something new, something beautiful,” Clous said.
The resulting bowls, deep enough for a healthy soup portion, each feature unique stamping on the outside.
Attendee Jenna Hixon has become an Empty Bowls regular.
“I usually buy at least two at a time, and I think I’ve been coming the last four years,” Hixon said. “It’s nice to come down for the day, grab lunch, and spend some time down here.”
She pre-paid for her ticket and was excited not to have to rush at the last second to choose her bowls.
The event featured a variety of soups donated by several local restaurants. With each bowl purchase, attendees received a pre-portioned serving of their chosen soup from eateries such as Bumdoodlers, The Dienger, Hungry Horse, The Creek, Cyprus Grille and other local favorites.
The Empty Bowls event is more than just a fundraiser; it is a powerful expression of community spirit, artistic talent and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity.
The handcrafted bowls symbolize this collective effort, and the dedication of the potters, organizers and attendees makes the event a truly meaningful occasion.
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