Be Seen Week kicked off with our inaugural Empty Bowls event on Thursday, May 1. Empty Bowls is a grassroots event designed to combat hunger. It raises awareness and funds by providing attendees with a hearty meal, a handmade bowl, and a metaphorical reminder of hunger—the “Empty Bowl."
Ceramics Program Chair Patrick Coughlin welcomes guests in the MECA&D Café at the inaugural Empty Bowls event. Photo by Natalie Conn, Salt '07.
Since its launch in 1990, ceramic artists worldwide have organized Empty Bowls events, raising tens of millions of dollars for local food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters. Students enrolled in the Empty Bowls course as part of the Public Engagement minor, where they received a comprehensive and immersive learning experience in community engagement, event planning, and a deep dive into making. Students volunteered at several local non-profit organizations combating food insecurity and selected Wayside Food Programs in Portland as the beneficiary.
Guests peruse the selection of handmade bowls at the inaugural Empty Bowls event. Photo by Natalie Conn, Salt '07.
The MECA&D event welcomed over 200 guests from the community. It included a meal in the MECA&D Café featuring a signature dish by the Executive Chef at Twelve Restaurant, Hannah Ryder, and handmade bowls from ceramics students.
Executive Chef of Twelve Restaurant Hannah Ryder with her mom, Director of the MECA&D Café Pam Ryder.
The event was a smashing success, with tickets selling out in just a few days. Each student made 45 bowls, for a grand total of 200 handmade bowls, and the event raised $6,500 for Wayside Food programs.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ceramics Kari Radasch ’97 presents Wayside Food Programs with a check for $6,500 at the Empty Bowls event. Photo by Natalie Conn, Salt '07.
A huge thank you to Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ceramics Kari Radasch ’97, Ceramics Program Chair Patrick Coughlin, Director of Artists at Work Jessica Tomlinson, and Director of the MECA&D Café Pam Ryder.
Watch News Center Maine coverage of the event here.
