Empty Bowls Project looking for volunteers to get glazed

A few hundred bowls sit in the basement of Garden Gallery waiting to take the next step: painting, or "glazing" as it's called in the pottery world.

Several dozen volunteers have worked for the past few months to make bowls for the Empty Bowls Project, a not-for-profit organization that raises money to support food banks and soup kitchens on the local level.

Volunteer potters have fashioned square bowls, round bowls, big, little, and any other kind of bowl. Now those bowls only need to be glazed and made colorful.

Organizers are calling for help in the painting process. They have been gathering a loyal crowd at 1 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

"If they're artistic, they can paint a design," said volunteer Julie Bricknell. "If they're not real artistic, they're just dipping it so the colors overlap so it's real simple."

Whether you're imitating Picasso or just adding a personal touch, all artists are welcome.

"We're trying to get a variety," Bricknell said.

The bowls will be on display at the Nov. 9 Empty Bowl Supper where people will buy a $10 ticket and get a simple meal and pick out a bowl to take home. Students at Southeast Missouri State University have planned a second dinner on Nov. 12 to take care of the leftover bowls, should there be any.

Bricknell said they have close to 300 bowls and Southeast Missouri State University art students are donating 100 to 150 bowls in the coming weeks. Local pottery artists have also donated larger bowls and set items for purchase. Their goal has been, and still is, 500 bowls, so those who still want to get their hands dirty can come make bowls, just bring a friend to help glaze.

Tickets are not yet on sale for the dinner. Call the Garden Gallery at 332-7123 with questions or to check pottery times.