Empty Bowls 2010 kicks off at The Pottery Room

Table of bowls awaiting sponsors

The kickoff for the Empty Bowls Clarksville Project 2010 got underway January 28 at Zarifah Joudah’s The Pottery Room, 2214 Madison Street, Suite A. Over the course of three hours, thirty-two bowls were created for the anti-hunger project that lends support to local food kitchen operations that feed the hungry in our community.

The Pottery Room filled with supporters who came during the evening to sit at the various tables and become deeply engrossed in painting their individual creations. Colors, themes, personal symbols or icons, favorite sayings, slogans or quotes, all these elements come into play as bowls are transformed from a plain chalky white to the multi-colored creations that filled the tables at the evening’s end.

In describing  Empty Bowls, organizers note that ” Clarksville is a community project that supports three non-profit organizations in the Clarksville Area. United Methodist Urban Ministries, Grace Assistance Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes, and the FUEL program all benefit from the annual Empty Bowls event in Clarksville. We are committed to raising awareness of the issue of hunger in the Clarksville-Montgomery County community.  This goal is achieved through our annual fundraising event that supports local food and hunger programs.

Creators use color to dazzling effect on their bowls

“Empty Bowls Clarksville is  a grassroots project with the mission of feeding the hungry, the disadvantaged and the homeless. The effort is an outgrowth of the International Empty Bowls Program, which has volunteers create bowls that are used to serve a meal of soup and bread as part of a fundraiser. The bowls, which are taken home by their buyers, are to remind us there are always empty bowls and hunger somewhere in in the world.”

Jennifer Poss registered supporters as they arrived at the shop. Rita Arancibia, director of the Empty Bowls committee, manned the refreshments table, making sure the sandwiches and soup were fresh and ready. She was assisted by Terry Williams, who set out the plates and drink cups. As each new arrival completed registration,  Joudah helped them select a bowl and pick out the paints and brushes need to transform the dull off-white ceramic shell into a bold and colorful personal creation destined to deny hunger a foothold in our community. Originally expecting over eighty painters, the predicted winter storm kept some participants at bay, but a hearty and brave crew of painters eventually filled the evening hours with their dedication and skills.

Amanda Rathe completes her 'Bon Appetit' bowl

Amanda Rathe steadied her hand as she completed her ‘Bon Appetit’ bowl at one table while finished bowls were gathered for display on another no far away. Others in attendance included Linda Nichols, Emily Wilcox, Taylor Pope and Linda Barnes.

The finale fundraiser will be held February 23 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Water Street Event Center, 804 South Riverside Drive. All the decorated bowls will available for purchase at this event. The $15 purchase price gets the buyer a handmade bowl with which to enjoya dinner that includes a varietof home-made soups, bread, beverages and desserts. Local restaurants supply the breads, churches provide desserts, and local businesses and others donate funds for the ingredients to make the homemade soups that are served at the supper. A silent auction is also part of this year’s event. Local potters will be on hand crafting bowls on a wheel during the event. Over five hundred bowls will be available for purchase during the program. Local musicians will provide entertainment as guests enjoy their meal and the silent auction.

For more information, visit the Empty Bowls Clarksville website, or call Rita Arancibia to reserve your seat at 931-551-5450 or contact her by email at Rita.Arancibia@gmail.com.