Bowl’ing for Hunger
WHS art students host charity dinner March 28

By Frank Ruggiero

By offering the community empty bowls, local art students are filling a need.

The need is hunger, and a tall order to fill at that.

For the eighth consecutive year, Watauga High School art students are organizing the annual Empty Bowls Supper, in which community members offer a donation of $15, which entitles them to a student-crafted bowl and dinner with which to fill it, with proceeds benefiting the Hunger and Health Coalition.

Last year’s event saw $6,100 raised, with approximately 300 bowls sold, though the combined efforts of years past have raised $27,300 total.

“The Empty Bowls fundraiser has come at a great time,” said Compton Fortuna, executive director of the Hunger and Health Coalition, which offers food and medicine to those in need.

By this time of year, Fortuna said, the coalition has typically exhausted most of its donations, though demand steadily increases. The funds raised by Empty Bowls will help offset this deficiency. “So, this is going to come in very handy to purchase some more food,” she added.

The original Empty Bowls effort started in Michigan in 1990, with a high school art teacher helping students help the hungry by way of making ceramic bowls for a fundraising meal. Guests could purchase a meal of soup and bread, served in one of the students’ handmade bowls, and keep the bowl as a reminder.

Empty Bowls grew into a nonprofit organization, Imagine/Render, based in Burnsville, and such events have been held the world over. Watauga High has participated since 2002 by way of an art club project.

Though WHS art instructor and event organizer Whit Whitaker encourages students to participate in the program, it is by no means mandatory.

“We stress to the students that this is a community service opportunity for them to be involved,” Whitaker said, “Their bowls are not graded, and I tell them, ‘I didn’t make you do it. This is part of your expectation here. It’s a volunteer effort that can only help you,’ and I leave it at that.”

His advice seems to work. Senior Ryann Jones has enjoyed making bowls for the past three years, and not only the community service aspect, but also a craft she plans to continue after graduation.

Sophomore Molly Clay has participated in Empty Bowls each of her two years at WHS.

“I think it’s an overall good idea,” she said. “We’re feeding others and making stuff for other people. And my parents are always excited when I come home with something.”

“I think it’s just remarkable that students are willing to devote their time and talent to give to their community and those in need,” Fortuna said.

Jones and Clay attend Whitaker’s crafts class, though Empty Bowls finds willing participants spanning many of Watauga’s art classes, including art instructor Shelton Wilder’s visual arts course, members of which are crafting table ornaments to accompany the bowls.

These particular ornaments are handmade in the most literal sense, as students are encouraged to leave their hand marks in the clay when shaping figurine-like depictions of people looking up for food. Wilder calls this artwork “Hand of the Creator,” as the students creating the work are responsible for its outcome, a life lesson to be applied in the real world. Though a price can’t be placed on such a lesson, the ornaments themselves sell for $5.

“What’s really unique is this is a chance for students to realize their family is bigger than people they’re kin to,” Wilder said. “Through their meager efforts, they fed someone else, and that is an amazing concept.”

Art instructor Lori Hill is also lending a hand, with many of her students volunteering to do the dirty work, such as set-up and clean-up, while others are selling tickets, sending mailings and offering secretarial services.

While Whitaker is glad to see the project span the art department’s curriculum, he’s even more excited to see it span the county, and then some.

Pat Morrison’s art class at Ashe County High School is lending hands and bowls to the cause, and even elementary students in Watauga are becoming involved. Dacia Tretheway teaches art at Parkway School, the after-school art club of which is participating in Empty Bowls. Between 15 and 20 students craft and glaze bowls for the supper, using molds and clay from Whitaker’s classes.

“We’re really privileged to get to do this,” Tretheway said. “The students love it, though they get attached to their bowls.”

In some instances, she said, students encourage their parents to arrive at the supper early, in order to get first dibs on their handiwork.

The event has grown into something parents anticipate each year, as well. In Whitaker’s class, students are allowed to visit the studio on Saturdays and can even bring their parents and siblings, who can also spin bowls for the cause.

Whitaker expects about 150 student-made bowls, and the remainder comes from other participants, such as family members and area artists contributing their professional livelihood.

Regular contributing artists include Lucy Hamilton, Bob Meier of Doe Ridge Pottery, Maggie Black Pottery, Steve and Kathy Williams’ Pottery and Jimmy Savely, and Eric Reichard of Appalachian State University’s Michael R. Patricelli Crafts Program.

Area businesses are also doing their part by donating goods and services for a silent auction, including gift certificates, gift baskets, a month’s membership to the Wellness Center and a one-hour massage.

While such businesses are filling that particular niche, area restaurants will be filling the bowls. Stick Boy Bread Company is naturally furnishing the bread, while Casa Rustica will offer minestrone soup, Pepper’s Restaurant potato soup, Melanie’s Food Fantasy southwest black bean soup, Woodland’s Barbecue Brunswick stew, Troy’s 105 Diner traditional chili, Blimpie’s Rick’s homemade soup, and Glidewell’s roasted pepper and tomato basil. Friends of Watauga will bring dessert.

Members of Watauga High’s chorus, orchestra and jazz band will supply the dinner music, while cast members from the high school’s upcoming musical, “All Shook Up,” will entertain those waiting in line.

The 2009 Empty Bowls Supper is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Watauga High School, located at 400 High School Drive in Boone. For more information, call Whit Whitaker at (828) 264-2407.