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Art project hopes to fill coffers for Home Sweet Home
By Phyllis Coulter
pcoulter@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- Art teacher Beth Smith has inspired her students to help others by using their artistic skills. The teens created colorful ceramic bowls that will be sold March 7 to raise money for Home Sweet Home Ministries.

For $10, ticket-holders get a take-home plus a meal of soup or chili.

“It’s been quite a project,” said Smith. “It’s gone deeper than just making a bowl and getting a grade for it.”

Before Christmas, the Normal Community West High School teacher read numerous stories in The Pantagraph about hungry people in this community. She decided this time of year — when there are fewer philanthropic efforts — would be the right time for students to do their part.

“I feel like we are giving back to the community. It’s good,” said freshman Sara Wheeler of Normal as she worked on a bowl.

Students read the articles and learned about their community and then learned various ways to create bowls. “I had one student tell me today that she cried when she read the articles about the homeless,” Smith said.

It is the first time Smith and her students have organized an Empty Bowls dinner, but similar events have been held across the nation.

Making the bowls was a challenge.

“It was kind of tricky to get it just right and have no cracks,” said senior Dominique Lashley of Normal, who decorated her bowl in Jamaican colors.

“I’m a hands-on person,” said senior Lindsey Wright of Bloomington, adding making something useful is so much more fun than reading a book.

“It’s been fun and it’s for a good cause,” said junior Brianne Bryne of Bloomington, who made three bowls on a potter’s wheel. She plans to volunteer at the fundraiser as well.

Senior Bryce Arnold of Normal discovered he has special talent at the potter’s wheel, so Smith let him become a full-time bowl maker. He was relieved: Arnold said he isn’t as good at sketching and other art projects, and was happy to make so many bowls to help in the effort.

Smith found herself challenged as well. The teacher had to do some fast experimenting when she learned clay she had ordered would arrive too late for students to use. A substitute was available but it was moister, which eliminated some options for bowl making.

Junior Brandi McCarrey of Normal is no stranger to service work and has served meals at Safe Harbor shelter run by The Salvation Army. “The first time I went was a little scared, but I had a good feeling, and want to do it more,” she said. “I think it’s a really good cause, and happy to be part of it.”

Smith said the project is “a great way for my students to realize they can do something good in the community by creating art.”

An array of finished bowls is on display in a glass case in the hallway near the Normal West office.

Take a look
Normal Community West High School senior Lindsey Wright works on her bowl Monday Jan 28, for the upcoming Empty Bowls program. Wright had never taken an art class and was enjoying working in instructor Beth Smith's Ceramics & Sculptures 1 Classroom. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
Normal Community West High School art instructor Beth Smith looks at a display case promoting work her students have produced for the upcoming Empty Bowls program. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY
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Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Barbara Waller wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:54 AM:

" A wonderful way for kids to fell like they are helping someone else as well as learning how to create bowls in Art. It will be an experience they will never forget. I hope the community will get out there and buy tickets to the Empty Bowl Event thus showing their support for the students and Ms. Smith while helping feed the hungry. "

Matt Contarino wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:22 AM:

" Hooray for Ms. Smith, the class, and the community! Your blessings will make a difference! "

well, wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:13 PM:

" kids doing good! Congrats, Kids! "
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