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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
WKU Ceramics Students Prepare for Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser
Students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) are combining their passion for ceramics with a commitment to community service as they work on the upcoming Empty Bowls of Bowling Green fundraiser. Entering its 14th year, this annual event raises funds for local soup kitchens and food banks and fosters collaboration between artists, businesses, and the community to address food insecurity.
Handmade Ceramic Bowls at the Heart of Fundraiser
The project began with WKU ceramics students creating handmade ceramic bowls at the start of the academic year. These bowls will be featured at the Empty Bowls fundraiser, where local restaurants donate food to fill them. Attendees can support hunger relief efforts in the community by participating in the event and taking home a unique piece of student art.
Art as a Means of Community Support
Greg Strange, WKU ceramics instructor, highlighted the value of the fundraiser in allowing students to see their creative efforts make a tangible difference. "Basically, it is an opportunity for ceramic artists to make pottery, functional bowls," Strange said. "Then they’re donated to the group, which uses the bowls as a fundraiser." He added that the project demonstrates the active role artists can play in supporting their communities. "It’s giving back to the community and showing that we, as artists, can be a viable part of our community and help," he said.
Building Skills and Community Connections
The initiative serves a dual purpose, providing practical experience for students while contributing to hunger relief. Ceramics student Silas Myers noted that making bowls is a valuable exercise for beginners, allowing them to improve their pottery techniques and explore the impact their work can have. "It’s a really easy way to learn how to throw, and it also helps people think more in the wider spectrum of what they can do with ceramics," Myers explained. "They can donate, they can sell, and it can help make connections further for students."
Public Engagement and Opportunities in Ceramics
As preparations continue for the next Empty Bowls fundraiser, WKU is also reaching out to the broader community. The university is offering ceramics classes open to the public, held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This invitation allows community members to discover pottery making, experience the creative process, and engage with local student artists.
Continuing the Tradition of Community Support
Through the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, WKU ceramics students showcase how art, education, and service can come together to address local challenges such as food insecurity. By supporting hunger relief efforts and inviting public participation, they continue to build connections between student artists and the wider community.
Source: wnky.com.
