Potters wheels are spinning for Empty Bowls' Bowl-a-Rama

It's that time of the year. The time to get clay between your fingers and mold bowls for charities. Alisa (Al) Holen, assistant professor of ceramics, and her ceramic students are asking faculty and staff to participate in the Empty Bowls Bowl-a-Rama. Anytime between noon and 6 p.m. Friday, September 30, faculty and staff, age 18 and over, are invited to the Dowhie Ceramics Center to make bowls.

The bowls will be used for Empty Bowls Evansville to raise funds to assist with food relief for Evansville's undernourished population. Empty Bowls is a national non-profit which lends its name to organizations who raise money to feed the hungry by making and selling ceramic bowls. Last year the group raised $13,000, splitting the proceeds between United Caring Shelters, Echo Housing and Patchwork Central.

The bowls made during Bowl-a-Rama will be sold for $10, including soup, at the upcoming Empty Bowls event on Saturday, November 5 at Sauced, located at 1113 Parrett Street in Evansville. The event is open to the public. A selection of bowls made by professional artists also will be offered at a higher premium.

There are 20 pottery wheels available on a first come, first served basis, but additional stations for hand molding clay will be set up in case of a rush. Participation is free and no experience is needed for volunteers to make bowls. Holen and her ceramics students will be available to help out beginners. Jewelry worn on the hands or wrists must be removed; long hair should be pulled back and closed-toe shoes are a must. Participants will get dirty. Come for an hour or stay all day and make as many bowls as you want. The Ceramics Center is located on the south side of campus behind the Business and Engineering Center and the Arts Center.

For more information contact Al Holen at aiholen@usi.edu or 812-228-5127.