offcntr | Super bowls

Every year, Food For Lane County, our local food bank, holds an Empty Bowls Sale fundraiser. I usually donate 70 to 100 bowls, though one year I broke 200. It's a way to give back, and very much in my family tradition. My dad used to set aside a calf every year to donate to our church charity livestock auction; these are my calves.

Back when Local Clay used to coordinate the sale, they also sponsored bowl throw-athons, events where potters got together to socialize and make bowls for the sale. We'd done several at Club Mud, and I had fond memories of the events, so this year, I proposed to bring back the tradition. Georgies Ceramic and Clay used to donate clay, but since they closed their Eugene store, I just provided some from my stash. I was also planning a firing in early April, so offered to fire them as well.

We had seven potters show up on throwing day, though Brian had just had carpal tunnel surgery, so couldn't make pots. He was more than happy to weigh and wedge clay, however, which made throwing go much faster for the rest of us. Between myself, Wayne, Annie, Laura, Tori and Tea, we made over 90 bowls. Brian, Annie and I trimmed them the next day, Club Mud donated a bisque firing, and Wayne, Annie, Tori and I glazed everything, with assistance on wax resist from Johnny, who had to work on glazing day.