Potters everywhere gather to create hundreds of one of a kind ceramic bowls that are given to persons willing to make a modest contribution to a local charity serving food to the hungry. Locally, this event is sponsored by Chautauqua Area Potters (CAP), a loosely organized assembly of the area’s amateur and professional potters. Many of these individuals work together at Mudslingers, the pottery s
tudio owned and operated by Ron Nasca in downtown Fredonia. Others in the group work in their own studios. Over the years the fund drive has met with growing success. While numerous individuals have created the hundreds of beautiful, one of a kind bowls, none are signed by the maker. Instead, they are imprinted with the “Empty Bowls” logo thus continuing to remind the user that there are hungry persons in the world. The bowls come in sizes designed to acknowledge contributions of $10, $20, and $30. What is unique about this exciting and worthwhile effort is that absolutely all of the talent, time and materials used are donated and one hundred percent of the proceeds go to feed the hungry through local food pantries. This “keep it local” policy is the only stipulation made by the now international organization “Empty Bowls.” The organization was formed in 1990 by John Hartom and his wife Lisa Blackburn when they were teaching at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School in Michigan. Individuals interested in learning more about this remarkable phenomenon may visit the site: www.emptybowls.net
Questions regarding our local EMPTY BOWLS fundraiser may be directed to Marvin Bjurlin, coordinator at 716-672-9151 or email [email protected] or Ron Nasca, proprietor of Mudslingers at 716-672-6833.
