Natural Born Kilners
WHS ceramic students create new bowls for charity dinner

By Jeff Eason

The art of taking a lump of clay, molding it into a specific shape, and heating with fire, is a practice that goes back more than 25,000 years. In all that time, from all the kilns in the world, no two pieces of ceramic art have emerged exactly the same.

That uniqueness is just one of the qualities that continues to lure artists to the time honored craft of pottery. Watauga High School has some of the most creative potters in the High Country and once a year they use their talents to help the less fortunate in our area. The event is called the Empty Bowls Project and next week it will raise much needed finds for the Hunger and Health Coalition.

The 7th annual Empty Bowls Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 15th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature a filling meal of soup and bread, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and an opportunity to help out the less fortunate in our area.

Currently ceramic artists at Watauga High School are making one-of-a-kind bowls for the Empty Bowls event. Each person attending the event is asked to make a minimum $15 donation. Then they get to pick out a bowl to keep, fill it with soup, and enjoy the evening.

Over the past six years, WHS’ Empty Bowls Dinners have raised over $25,000 for the local Hunger and Health Coalition. The past two events have raised over $6,000 each.

“Empty Bowls is an international project to fight hunger,” said a WHS project coordinator. “The basic idea for Empty Bowls is simple. Students create and collect donated handmade ceramic bowls, soups and bread from area restaurants and serve a simple meal. Guests keep their bowls at the end of the night as a reminder that there are always empty bowls and hungry people in the world.”

Over the past month, WHS art students have been making bowls, contacting local restaurants, artists, and business, collecting donations and promoting the event.

The Empty Bowls’ menu will feature baked goods from Stick Boy Bread Company, chicken white chili from Highlands of Blowing Rock, Brunswick stew from Woodlands Barbecue, Italian minestrone soup from Casa Rustica, vegetarian vegetable soup from Pepper’s, Southwest black bean soup from Melanie’s Food Fantasy, Rick’s homemade soup from Blimpie’s Subs, and a variety of desserts from Friends of Watauga.

Silent Auction

In addition to the unique bowls and wonderful food, the Empty Bowls Dinner will also feature a silent auction with items and gift certificates donated by area businesses, artisans and restaurants.

Live Music

The evening will also feature live music from several of Watauga High School’s student bands including the WHS Chorus, WHS Orchestra, the WHS Jazz Band and singers from the school’s award-winning Theatre Department.

WHS Empty Bowls Dinner will be held at the high school cafeteria on Saturday, March 15th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A minimum $15 donation is suggested. For more information, call (828) 264-2407.