By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Empty Bowls–a national movement to support the arts or local food pantries–has been a vibrant fundraiser in New Bern, currently heading into its 12th year. Handled on the local level by the Craven County Arts Council and Gallery, and in collaboration with Religious Community Services, the event is divided into two distinct activities: the “throw-down” during which local potters demonstrate how pottery is made and local schools compete with their soup creations; and the big event itself, during which guests can purchase bowls and soup created by local restaurants.
“In 2016, we started exploring ways to popularize the event and draw in a new audience, and decided to show people how pottery is made, as well as involving local schools,” says Craven Arts Executive Director, Jonathan Burger.
This year, the Potters’ Throwdown is being held on Friday, January 13 from 5-8pm at the Harrison Center, located at 311 Middle Street in downtown New Bern. At this event, three potters will race against one another to make as many bowls as possible in merely one hour! Guests can choose their bowls on this date if they wish. Also, this event will feature 11 local schools going head-to-head in a culinary soup competition, judged by three local celebrity guests: Chris Hoveland from The Chelsea, Chef Smoke from The Flame, and Denise Plourde from Greenbriar Golf and Country Club.
The main event is on Thursday, February 23 from 11am-1pm at Temple Church, located at 1500 Kingdom Way in New Bern. This part of the event has been attended by as many as 1200 guests and reflects a coming together of religious and civic groups, artists, restaurants, businesses, joining forces to make a difference in our community. Tickets for the event include your choice of one handcrafted bowl or home good, such as wooden bowls, small cutting boards, hard-carved spoons, and quilted potholders, as well as two bowls of soup donated by as many as 40 local restaurants and community groups.
“Take your time to look around at all of the choices before choosing which soup you would like to eat, because there is so much to offer,” says Jonathan Burger. “There are so many great choices, including southeastern style soup with lumpia, and even shrimp and grits from the Chelsea!”
Tickets are available online at emptybowlsnewbern.org/tickets, over the phone at 252-638-2577, or in person at the Bank of the Arts, located at 317 Middle Street in downtown New Bern. If you can’t make main event, you can claim you bowl at the throw-down and receive a $5.00 coupon for a local restaurant.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support the arts and our community: it’s bound to be a soup-er good time!