Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls Blue Mountains: A Community-Driven Initiative Fighting Food Insecurity

The Empty Bowls Blue Mountains initiative is a grassroots community project spearheaded by the Blue Mountains Clay Collective, a group of passionate local ceramicists dedicated to using their craft for social good. Rooted in the international Empty Bowls movement, which began in the early 1990s, this local iteration brings together artists, businesses, and community members to support food security programs in the Blue Mountains region.

At its heart, Empty Bowls is a fundraising event centered around handmade ceramic bowls, symbolizing both nourishment and the collective effort to combat hunger. Participating potters and ceramic artists donate a selection of beautifully crafted bowls, which are then offered at fundraising events where guests choose a bowl and receive a serving of delicious soup. Attendees take their chosen bowls home as a tangible reminder of the ongoing issue of food insecurity and their contribution to alleviating it.

Funds raised from Empty Bowls Blue Mountains go directly to local food relief organizations, such as community kitchens, food banks, and grassroots initiatives that provide meals and essential support to those in need. By merging the arts with philanthropy, the event not only raises crucial funds but also fosters a deeper sense of solidarity and awareness about food accessibility challenges within the community.

Beyond the event itself, Empty Bowls Blue Mountains acts as a catalyst for year-round engagement, encouraging local artists to contribute their skills, businesses to sponsor and support the initiative, and the wider public to participate in meaningful ways. Through workshops, exhibitions, and partnerships with local cafes, galleries, and cultural institutions, the project continues to inspire both creativity and compassion.

With each handmade bowl and each shared meal, Empty Bowls Blue Mountains reinforces the belief that art can be a powerful tool for change, transforming both communities and lives.

2024

The Empty Bowls Blue Mountains 2024 event, organized by the Blue Mountains Clay Collective, was a remarkable success, bringing together artists, community members, and local businesses to combat food insecurity in the region. Held on September 7, 2024, at Junction 142 in Katoomba, the event featured handcrafted bowls donated by local potters, including contributions from Blackwattle Pottery. Attendees selected a bowl and enjoyed a serving of soup, with proceeds supporting Junction 142’s food relief programs. ​

In the lead-up to the event, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre hosted a free clay bowl-making workshop, encouraging community participation and increasing the number of bowls available for the fundraiser. ​

The collaboration between artists, volunteers, and attendees not only raised significant funds but also heightened awareness about local food insecurity, strengthening community bonds and inspiring ongoing support for those in need.

2025

Join the Empty Bowls Blue Mountains 2025 Initiative – Make a Difference!

Art, community, and compassion come together once again for Empty Bowls Blue Mountains 2025, a powerful initiative using handmade ceramics to fight food insecurity. Hosted by the Blue Mountains Clay Collective, this annual event raises crucial funds to support local food relief services—one bowl, one meal, and one act of kindness at a time.

How You Can Help:

• Volunteer Your Time – Help us bring this event to life by lending a hand on the day or behind the scenes.
  
• Pledge a Bowl – Are you a potter? Donate a handcrafted bowl to support the cause.
  
• Donate Prizes or Auction Items – Businesses and individuals can contribute items to help raise additional funds.
  
• Donate to the Cause – Every dollar makes a difference in supporting local food relief programs.
  
• Buy Your Ticket Here – Join us on event day, select a beautiful handmade bowl, enjoy a delicious soup, and be part of a movement that transforms lives.

Together, we can fill empty bowls and hearts with hope. Be part of the solution in 2025!

🔗 [Get Involved – Click Here to Participate!]