BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro community is once again invited to help make bowls to support the Brattleboro Drop In Center.
Brattleboro Clayworks is hosting a “Bowlerama” on Saturday, June 29, as part of its preparations for the ninth annual Empty Bowls Dinner to be held this fall as a benefit for the Center.
Bowlerama offers those who have little or no experience in clay an opportunity to create a bowl to donate to the dinner.
Bonnie Stearns, Alan Steinberg, and Annie Lauterbach will be available to help bowl-makers get started and provide instruction as needed. Dig your hands into the clay to pinch, make coils, or roll out slabs into bowls. Grab a selection of fun texturing objects as you decorate your bowls.
Because of their expressive uniqueness, hand-built bowls often are the first chosen at the Empty Bowls dinner.
Space is limited, so Clayworks asks interested parties to sign up in advance for the morning session (10 a.m. to noon) or afternoon session (1 to 3 p.m.).
Clayworks is donating instruction, clay, glaze, and firing. There is no charge to participate, though financial donations are welcome.
To reserve your party's space at Clayworks, call 802-254-9174. Children aged 10 and up are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
The Empty Bowls dinner is a collaborative event. Local potters contribute bowls, local eateries contribute their home-cooked food, and musicians contribute their talents. For a $25 donation, participants will enjoy live music and a delicious meal in a handcrafted bowl they'll get to keep.
All proceeds go to Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, a day shelter offering a community food shelf and support services.
This year the Drop In Center is struggling with severe budget cuts from the state and federal sources even as its clientele are reeling in the current economy.
The Empty Bowls Dinner is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 12 - Columbus Day weekend - at Landmark College in Putney. It's in its ninth year of helping raise funds and awareness to alleviate hunger and homelessness.