Isaiah 64:8 - "But now, Oh Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand."
We are once again using our God-given talents to give back to the community through our SERVINGbowls project. Our students have been working all year to create bowls for our event on Friday, April 24 from 5-7 p.m. in our cafeteria.
So what’s new with this year’s project? We have a few exciting things to share! First, we will be selling “presale” tickets. Beginning today, patrons will be able to purchase presale tickets for $25. This ticket guarantees you a spot at the front of the line for our event (must arrive by 5 p.m.). There are only 50 presale tickets so pick yours up today in the high school’s main office.
Another exciting thing is that we are collaborating with the Theatre Department! Our SERVINGbowls fundraiser is the same night as our Spring Play, Proposals. Our auctioned piece this year is a themed piece. As an assignment in Advanced Ceramics, Senior Luke Neuhaus met and designed a piece to be used as a prop in the play! This piece will be on display during the dinner, and then used during the performance. The winner will be announced during intermission, so make sure to come and watch the play!
So how did this all get started?
Our school theme a few years ago was “United in Service with Christ at the Center.” Earlier in the year, I was talking about our theme with some students and how we could use it in one of our art classes. After a lengthy discussion, it became clear that students didn’t really understand how their artistic talents could be used to give back to the community. And thus, a service project was born! We would use our talents to create art to sell to people. With those funds, we could support our community directly.
While in college, I participated in a similar project, and used it as a model for ours. Essentially, students and staff members spend the year working on the pottery wheel – they learn how to “center” clay, how to shape the inside of the bowl, and how to trim the bottom of the bowl. Once they learn how to do this, we fire and glaze them. The great thing about this project is that students and staff don’t have to be in an art class or have previous experience – it is open to anyone! I think getting kids to see a ceramic object through completion is so rewarding, and truly encourages them to try an art class. Everyone has an ability to create, but whether or not they pursue art even for fun depends on how much support and encouragement they receive.
Learning how to make pottery is fun, but how do we make the connection to service? Students and staff members will donate time and resources in the form of ceramic bowls to the project. On April 24 we will be having a Chili-bowl fundraiser night. Patrons will pay $20 at the door, and receive a handmade ceramic bowl as well as a homemade dinner of chili. Along with the bowls, there will be other ceramic pieces to purchase, as well as other art.
After the dinner, we will take all of the profits and pay for the clay and glaze used to make our bowls. What is left over will be donated to St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, a local organization that works to feed the homeless. Through donations of time and talent, I hope to teach our student body how our talents can be used to help those who are less fortunate, and directly impact our community.
So, come out and support the arts, our students, and the community, all while enjoying a good meal and fellowship. You won’t be disappointed!
God Bless!
Trevor Campbell,
Art Teacher