Harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of more than 75 pairs of hands, the Empty Bowls Project's bowl-making workshop once again churned out an estimated 100 masterpieces.
Participants young and old gathered Saturday afternoon at the artcenter Traverse City to turn Cedar Heights red clay into works of art. Pinching, rolling, sculpting and carving, each artist-for-the-day contributed a unique vision.
"It's so neat looking at the bowls, one kid wrote in one, 'Hunger no more,'" said Amy Packard, education coordinator, of artcenter Traverse City. "They're clearly getting the idea that art can be a gift."
After volunteers from the artcenter Traverse City fire and glaze the bowls, they will join other bowls made by area artists, students and volunteers. Not all bowls will be ceramics as members of the Northwest Michigan Woodturners Guild will also donate items.
Each attendee at the Sixth Annual Empty Bowl Benefit -- scheduled for Sunday, April 27, at the Park Place Dome in Traverse City -- may choose one of the bowls to take home. Last year more than 500 attendees enjoyed fresh homemade soups and breads as well as entertainment while raising money to help others.
Proceeds from the benefit will raise money for the Fresh Food Partnership, which purchases brings fresh, locally grown produce from area farms and donates it to area food pantries.
"It warms my heart, just the idea of how many people are involved," said Annette Sedlar, program coordinator of the Fresh Food Partnership. "During 2008 growing season, [the Empty Bowls Benefit] is critical to our source of funds."
Last year, the Fresh Food Partnership donated more than 50,000 pounds of produce to 30 food pantries in the five-county area. This year with a few more pantries on board and a wobbling economy, that number should rise.
"It's expected that more than 10,000 people with emergency food needs would benefit with food they wouldn't most likely receive otherwise: fresh food as opposed to canned," noted Sedlar.
The annual public bowl-making workshop helps spread the word about the upcoming benefit and the Fresh Food Partnership while also encouraging participation in the arts. This year groups of students from the United Way, 4-H and a church in Holland -- in town for a conference -- joined in. Others dropped by singly or in small family groups, creating a steady flow of bowls during the three-hour event.
Guided by sculptor Pamela Dueweke, a board member of artcenter Traverse City, attendees wielded rolling pins, rulers, corks, stamps, carving tools and dowels to shape and decorate their creation.
"I was impressed with the lot that we got because I remember telling people I'd rather have you make one really good bowl rather than several that are mediocre," said Dueweke. "They did a great job."
For more information on the Fresh Food Partnership, call (231) 929-3696 or see their Web site at www.freshfoodpartnership.org. Bowls for donation to the Empty Bowl Benefit may be brought to the artcenter Traverse City, 720 S. Elmwood, Traverse City. For more information, call (231) 941-9488.
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