For a very long time now, my pottery friend, Bridget Hauser, founder of Sunset Canyon Pottery, has hosted an annual Empty Bowls event in Dripping Springs, Texas.

 

Empty Bowls is a concept that has been around quite a while. The story that is generally told is as follows:

1990 a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students solve a problem. They were searching for a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fundraising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world. By the following year the originators had developed this concept in Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. Since then Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger.

 

The really big deal about Empty Bowls, is that the funds raised all remain local. In most cases, VERY local. And, well, I am into "local"!

 

At any rate, this summer, Bridget came up to McKinney to teach a workshop, and while we were visiting, she asked me to make some bowls in support of this project. This is a good time to point out that, when I first moved back to Texas in 2010, I had no space to do pottery work for almost a year. Bridget graciously allowed me to come to her studio and make all the empty bowls that I cared to make. It was a great way to keep up my skills, and I remain very grateful.  Even though I had been supporting the Empty Bowls event in Dallas for several years before moving back to Texas, the Dripping Springs event has remained near and dear to me, and I have been making bowls for them ever since.

 

So, of course I agreed!! And, then (after agreeing - not very smart, perhaps), asked her how many she wanted. We concluded that one hundred was a very good number, and it went up on the giant "TO-DO" white board in my shop.

 

I am very happy that, as of my last firing, the Dripping Springs Empty Bowls are now ready for delivery later this week.

 

And, just in case you are wondering what One Hundred Bowls actually look like, here are some photos. And, yes, you might notice that I had to take TWO photos to get them to all fit! Somehow it reminded me of those really old class photos from elementary school!

 

 

 

After almost thirty years in business, Bridget has sold Sunset Canyon Pottery, to one of her former employees, and Bridget plans to be a semi-retired studio potter. So, the event location has moved down the road just a bit to the Mercer Street Dance Hall in "downtown" Dripping Springs. By clicking this link, you can get all the information about the Dripping Springs Empty Bowls Event that will be held on 6 November, 2016 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  Your $25.00 donation will not ONLY get you a GREAT bowl (if you get there early enough), you will get some good eats from some of the best chefs in Austin and Dripping Springs.

 

MOST importantly, the fundraiser will benefit Dripping Springs Helping Hands, a local organization that helps with food needs in the Dripping Springs area.  So, your donation stays local, and  goes to a good cause. 

 

So make plans to come on out and join us on 6 November. There will be great food, great music, and amazing bowls - all benefiting a really good cause. Just don't be late - folks have been doing this for a long time, and there will be nothing but slim pickings and empty pots by 3:00!!

 

I hope to see you there.