3rd Annual Empty Bowls Chicago

I'm excited to announce that the 3rd Annual Empty Bowls Chicago is coming up on December 12th at Lillstreet.

Empty Bowls is an event that brings pottery, community and good food together to help fight hunger. For the last three years, my friend Joanna Kramer has been organizing the event for Chicago. (I'm including a letter from her below that explains all the details.)

If you're a potter (or vessel maker with another medium), I encourage you to send us a bowl or two. Just make sure it gets to Chicago by the 12th! I think the deadline is listed as the 5th, but it's ok as long as it's there by the day of the event.

If you're going to be in the Chicago area on the 12th, I hope you can join us for a family style meal. Doors open at 5pm on Friday, December 12th. There is a room that will have all the bowls spread out on tables (like the picture to your left). You get to pick out your bowl and then fill it with soup. Then you'll eat your yummy meal made by the First Slice Cafe at family style tables and enjoy a good conversation with the other attendees. At least that is what my experience has been in the past.

If you're not in Chicago, you might want to think about creating your own Empty Bowls event for your community. You might remember a post that I wrote last spring about my friend, Jordan Taylor and the event he organized in Scranton, PA. (Don't be intimidated, you don't have to make 1000 bowls... you can start small.)

Here is the letter from Joanna with all the information that you need to know. Also, you can RSVP to the even via Facebook.

Dear Artist and Supporter,

Bring us your bowls and help feed the hungry! Join us onDecember 12, 2008for a bowl of soup and help to feed the hungry. The Empty Bowls Project is a nationwide effort by artists to help fight hunger. Lillstreet Art Centeris proud to host the 3rd annual Empty Bowls Project to benefit Chicago-area hunger-fighting organizations. We're asking student and professional potters to donate bowls for this cause.

Empty Bowls works like this: guests choose a bowl and are served a generous serving of soup and bread made by First Slice Cafe, in exchange for a $20 suggested donation. Guests keep the bowl as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in the world. Bowls with an estimated price of over $30 will be placed up for auction. Empty Bowls will take place on Friday, December 12, 2008, 5-8 pm in the Lillstreet Gallery. 100% of the money raised will be given toFirst Slice, so they may continue to create healthy meals for these local organizations whose mission includes helping those who are hungry and/or homeless: Heartland Alliance,The Night Ministry,American Indian Center Youth Program, andHoward Area Alternative High Schooland Chicago-area soup kitchens.With the revenue generated from last year's EMPTY BOWLS event, First Slice was able to donate 1000 meals to youth in need. All donated bowls may be mailed or delivered to Lillstreet Art Center by December 5th. We hope you will participate in this important hunger-fighting event.

Thank you in advance for your generous donation to help feed Chicago's hungry.

Joanna Kramer

Drop off / Ship bowls:
Lillstreet Art Center
Attn:Joanna Kramer, Empty Bowls Coordinator
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773)263-5581