by CADY MAAS
STAFF WRITER
and KELLY ZHANG
STAFF WRITER
Chadwick students are set to showcase their creativity next Friday with the annual Empty Bowl fundraiser, an event that highlights the yearlong efforts of the Upper School’s ceramics students. This fundraiser not only allows faculty and students to purchase handmade bowls but also supports a significant cause: the World Central Kitchen charity.
Empty Bowl, which has become a cherished tradition at Chadwick, offers a unique opportunity for the ceramics students to see their hard work come to fruition. The event will feature a variety of bowls created by students across all levels of ceramics, from Ceramics 1 to AP Ceramics. Participants will also enjoy ice cream served in these bowls, adding to the event’s festive atmosphere.
Annie Webster, the ceramics teacher and organizer of Empty Bowl, shared the origins of the event. “Empty Bowl was introduced to me by a former headmaster, Jeff Moredock, thirty years ago after he read about a similar event in Kansas City that aimed to raise money for a local soup kitchen,” she said. “It took off locally and has since become an international undertaking.”
The main beneficiary of the funds raised through Empty Bowl is World Central Kitchen, an organization led by Chef José Andrés. Based in Washington, D.C., World Central Kitchen provides humanitarian aid in communities worldwide, making a substantial impact in disaster-stricken and impoverished areas.
For the ceramics students, participating in Empty Bowl is more than just a community service project; it’s an opportunity to contribute to a global cause. “It’s not just community building, but there’s also a global citizen aspect of the fundraiser,” says junior Noah Matsunaga, a Ceramics 3 student.
The success of the fundraiser relies heavily on the dedication of the students, who spend countless hours crafting and glazing their bowls. “The undertaking is a big one, with much time dedicated to making and glazing bowls of all shapes and sizes,” Webster explained. “All 9th through 12th-grade ceramics students participate with increasing levels of commitment based on their experience.”
The community eagerly anticipates the sale each year, searching for the perfect bowl that resonates with them. “The whole community comes out to the sale with much anticipation to find just the right piece that speaks to them,” Webster said. “The icing on the cake is the ice cream and toppings that are served in the bowls.”
For Matsunaga, Empty Bowl serves as a significant milestone in the ceramics curriculum. “When the event actually comes around, it feels very community-building. It’s less formal than our spring or fall submissions,” he noted. “But at the same time, we’re able to showcase what we’ve been working on throughout the year and give people a more fun taste of our projects.”
The fundraiser will take place on the Seniors’ last day of classes, with the unveiling scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on the lawn at lunch, running until about 2:30 p.m. This year, as in the past three years, the proceeds will support World Central Kitchen’s mission in areas such as Haiti, Ukraine, and Gaza.
Overall, Empty Bowl is a wonderful opportunity for students to express their creativity and contribute to a meaningful cause, bringing their artistic visions to life while making a positive impact globally.
The Mainsheet 