Art for the table, helping the community: Here are some of the bowls made by SIU Carbondale ceramics students and faculty that will go on sale Saturday, Oct. 14. (Photo provided)
October 10, 2023
SIU ceramics students, faculty to help fill community initiatives through Empty Bowls
CARBONDALE, Ill. — There’s an opportunity on Saturday, Oct. 14, for people to see the talents of Southern Illinois University Carbondale ceramics students and faculty while helping the community at the same time.
Empty Bowls, an event where art meets hunger, compassion and advocacy, returns to the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in the Murdale Shopping Center, 1815 W. Main St., Carbondale. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or as long as the bowls last.
Talented students and faculty are creating 150 to 200 handmade ceramic bowls, which can be purchased for $15 to $20 each and then filled with a ladle of warm soup donated by Neighborhood Co-op. Proceeds from the event will go to The Survivor Empowerment Center (formerly The Women’s Center), said Pattie Chalmers, a professor and head of the ceramics program in the School of Art and Design.
Chalmers started the Empty Bowls program at SIU Carbondale in 2014; Empty Bowls is an international initiative.
“This event is a great way for students to feel they can work to make a difference,” Chalmers said. “Seeing the community come out and choose a bowl they have made and then use it can be exciting for them. It is my hope that the public will see the students’ efforts and goodwill and will enjoy the chance to meet our talented makers.”