GSW Visual Arts participates in ‘Empty Bowls’ project helping to eliminate hunger locally

AMERICUS, GA (October 25, 2022) — Faculty and students in the Department of Visual Arts at Georgia Southwestern State University, along with local artists and restaurants, are coming together once again to feed the hungry by selling hand-crafted ceramic bowls and delicious soup.

GSW Department of Visual Arts and its student organization Artists United are sponsoring an ‘Empty Bowls’ project which will take place on Friday, Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Americus Arts Council Building. 326 W Forsyth St., Americus, GA 31709.

The goal for this year is to produce and sell bowls at $20 each. Sixty percent of the proceeds collected from this event will benefit the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, a local charity. The Americus and Sumter County Arts Council will receive ten percent of the proceeds, with the remainder benefitting the GSW Department of Visual Arts.

The Harvest of Hope Food Pantry is a Christian-based, nonprofit organization serving approximately 750-1,000 families in need per month. Led by Executive Director Rev. Sonny Pinckard, and his wife, Ginger, hundreds of volunteers help distribute bags of food after families are interviewed to establish income and need. 

GSW Visual Arts began making bowls in 2012 for the Albany Area Arts Council’s effort to support the SOWEGA Council on Aging. After several years, the decision was made in 2014 to move the event locally in collaboration with the Americus-Sumter County Arts Council to benefit the Americus community.

This year, three local restaurants have donated soup for the event: Sweet Georgia Bakery and Cafe, Pat’s Place, and the 1800 Mexican Restaurant. With the purchase of a ceramic or glass bowl, participants will receive a soup voucher that can be redeemed at one of these local restaurants (while supplies last).

Bowls will be made by GSW students Noah Miller, Sefunmi Adebanwo, Kayla Crisp, Dulce Sarmiento, Alexis Glass, Sheridon Lambert, Hannah Strunk, Beginning Ceramics students, and GSW Professor Keaton Wynn.