MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Handmade ceramic bowls created by local students will help support the Reno County Food Bank during the Empty Bowls fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Hutchinson Art Center.
The suggested donation is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Participants receive a handmade ceramic bowl, along with chili served in a separate bowl and a cinnamon bun prepared by HCTEA culinary students.
Kim Ivancovich, a Co-Chair of the Fine Arts and Humanities Department and Associate Professor of Art at Hutchinson Community College, said all proceeds from the event will benefit the food bank.
“That's really important to us to make sure that the impact of the art stays local.” she said.
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots project that uses locally organized events to fight hunger. Hutchinson’s event has been held for more than 17 years, beginning with retired Hutchinson High School ceramics teacher Deb Ringler.
“Julia Johnson, an art instructor at Hutchinson High School, does a great deal of the work. She's amazing. She took the program over about five years ago and invited me in as the ceramics instructor at Hutchinson Community College.” said Ivancovich.
The high school continues to participate alongside HutchCC, with the art center hosting the fundraiser.
Ivancovich said the high school typically contributes to about 200 bowls, while HutchCC provides close to 100.
The project is part of the college’s ceramics curriculum. Students must create at least four bowls and donate two, although some make additional bowls to contribute.
“We're very upfront in our ceramics classes, right? That what they're doing is contributing to the community that they live in, that they're going to school in,” Ivancovich said.
Creating each bowl can take several weeks. Students shape the clay by hand or on a pottery wheel, trim it, allow it to dry slowly, and complete an initial firing. They then apply glaze before a second firing.
Ivancovich said the time and creativity involved give students a personal connection to the fundraiser. Some attend to purchase their own bowls, either to keep or give to relatives.
“They take pride in what they create,” she said.
Guests may eat at the event or take their food with them. Ivancovich encouraged those seeking a particular handmade bowl to arrive early for the best selection.
While the event has never run out of handmade bowls, she said strong community support has exhausted the food supply in previous years.