Empty Bowls Throwing Session at the Workspace

Fri., May 30, 2025 4 – 7p.m., ISU Memorial Union Workspace, East Basement, 2229 Lincoln Way

Register here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACA82EAAF9CE9-55985558-workspace

Join local artists at the Workspace, to make bowls for the 2025 Empty Bowls soup supper to be held in November. If you’re interested in helping, join us on Fri., May 30, between 4 – 7 p.m. The Workspace, in partnership with the Ames Community Arts Council, will provide clay, tools, a wheel, and the space to create — all you need to do is show up and throw some bowls!

Due to limited space, we are asking potters to register in advance. You may sign up for one, two, or all three hours. We do ask that if you reserve a space and your plans change, please release the time so others can fill the timeslot.

This opportunity is intended for folks who feel comfortable throwing bowls independently, as there will not be instructors available. Potters must also commit to returning to the Workspace to trim their bowls between Mon., June 2 and Tues., June 10 during open hours (Mon. – Fri., 2 – 9 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The Workspace staff will fire and glaze all finished bowls.

Please reach out to Workspace staff member Erin McCollum at erinmcc@iastate.edu with any questions.

About the event: Empty Bowls is a global, grassroots movement that raises money for food-related charities and organizations to fight hunger. Participating artists create and donate bowls, then organizers serve a simple meal. Guests choose a bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In addition to the pottery being provided by local artists, local restaurants and grocery stores also donate to the project.

The second annual Empty Bowls will be held Sat., Nov. 15 at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation (2622 Lincoln Way, Ames). The Ames Community Arts Council, Hardie Clay Studio, Creative Artists Studios of Ames, Nathan & Clay, the ISU Memorial Union Workspace, the Octagon Center for the Arts, and numerous Ames artists, along with our beneficiary organizations: Gilbert Community School’s Backpack Buddies, the ISU Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) food pantry, and the Ames Community School District, through a central HOPE (Helping Other People Eat) Pantry at the newly renovated AMES Center, are partnering to organize an Empty Bowls event to address food insecurity for students across the community.