A Jonesboro art studio has joined forces with the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas to support efforts to fight hunger in the region.
Leah Schroeder, owner of Open Studio, said Sunday marked the second year her team partnered with the food bank to create handmade bowls for its “Empty Bowls” fundraiser. Patrons who purchase tickets to the event, scheduled for Sept. 24, will receive one of the bowls crafted by the studio’s regular members, with proceeds helping feed food-insecure Arkansans.
“It’s kind of getting together,” Schroeder said. “We don’t need much of an excuse to do that. Most Sundays, we have a lot of studio members here working on their own individual projects. And today, they’ve all kind of set those aside.”
According to data from the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, one in five residents in the state face food insecurity. The proceeds from the event will provide resources to address this need, ensuring more meals for those in the community who lack access to adequate food.
This year, studio members aim to produce approximately 130 bowls, an increase from last year’s 100. Among the artists contributing to the effort is Chris Pham, a sophomore at Arkansas State University majoring in plant science and environmental science, and president of ASU’s campus clay club. Pham, who also works as a studio technician, said he discovered a love for working with clay as a child and began honing his skills in high school. Today, he sees his craft as both art and service.
“You never think that art is something that can feed somebody, but in this instance, it can,” Pham said.
The process of crafting the bowls takes about two weeks, including drying and refining them to make them ready for the fundraiser. Each bowl has subtle differences, which adds a meaningful touch, Pham explained.
“So this bowl is just — it could be just a bowl,” he said, “or it could be something that serves multiple purposes and has, like, a story.”
Schroeder emphasized the importance of contributing to the community, no matter how small the gesture.
“This is the least we can do as members of the community, is to spend an afternoon with each other throwing bowls for our community,” she said.
The “Empty Bowls” fundraiser will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional details are available on the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas’ website.