BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Clayworks is preparing for the 11th annual Empty Bowls Dinner, a benefit for the Brattleboro Drop In Center, with a Bowlerama on Saturday, April 11.
Bowlerama offers an opportunity for those who have little or no experience in clay 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, provide basic instruction, and troubleshoot if assistance is needed. Participants can dig hands into the clay to pinch, make coils, or roll out slabs into bowls, and decorate creations with stamps and other textured objects.
Because of their expressive uniqueness, hand built bowls are often the first to be chosen at the Empty Bowls Dinner.
Space is limited, so Clayworks asks interested parties to sign up in advance for the morning or afternoon session: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call the Clayworks at 802-254-9174 to reserve a place for you and your party. Children ages 10 and over are welcome, accompanied by an adult. Clayworks is donating instruction, clay, glaze, and firing costs. There is no charge to participate; however, financial donations are welcome.
This year, the Drop In Center has suffered severe budget cuts on the state and federal level, while the number of clients has increased significantly.
The Empty Bowls Dinner, now in its 11th year, helps raise funds and awareness to alleviate hunger and homelessness. It is a collaborative event. Local potters contribute bowls, local eateries contribute their home-cooked food, and musicians contribute their time.