Empty Bowl Project

We are participating in the Empty Bowl Project, which will occur in MARCH at our High School.

How will I participate?

You will create a pinch pot with raised pattern, a foot, and a lip. The bowls will be glazed with one color. The bowl will be donated to the project.

What will happen to the bowl?

The bowls will be displayed, and the community, students and staff will have the opportunity to choose bowls of their choice for a donation (@ 5-10 dollars). The bowl will be filled with donated food, which is served by students. Guests may then keep the bowl to enjoy the beauty of the piece, and to remind them of all the empty bowls in the world. Last year over 100 people attended the Empty Bowl event.

Can I attend?

Yes! You, your friends and your family are very welcome! We will give you an invitation closer to the day of the event in March.

What will happen to the donations?

The Needham food bank will received all the money raised.

What do I need to do to prepare?

You will research facts and figures about world hunger. Those facts will be distributed during the event to help raise awareness about the prevalence of world hunger.

You will receive homework points for turning in 5 facts about world hunger. ONE fact (minimum) should be a fact about hunger in the United States. Those with the most unusual facts will receive extra credit. Some websites to look at:

www.worldhunger.org, http://library.thinkquest.org, www.bread.org,

www.wfp.org/hunger, www.freedomfromhunger.org,

When will I create the bowls?

You will create a bowl or bowls, now, and when there is a lull with your other art work. You may be waiting for drying time, or finished early with a project.

When is it due and how will I be graded?

Bowl DUE: TBA

Grade: You will be graded on your craftsmanship and glazing technique. We are looking for a generous sized bowl, with even walls, that people will be able to fill with enough food to satisfy them for lunch. Also, you must include a creative raised pattern, a lip and a foot.

To Do:

Materials:

Drying board, plastic bag, clay tools, clay, newspaper

Steps:

  1. Cover table with paper and set up a drying board to work on
  2. Wedge out your clay and wrap in plastic until ready to use. Keep it moist by wrapping a damp paper towel around the clay before wrapping.
  3. Create a ball or several coils
  4. Either pinch out a bowl or create a bowl form with wrapping coils
  5. Attach coils securely by scoring and welding
  6. Even walls, smooth surfaces and crisp transitions are key
  7. Add raised pattern, lip and foot by scoring and welding
  8. Use finishing techniques to create a polished look
  9. Dry earthen clay out slowly by wrapping loosely in plastic without a damp towel. It will become greenware when it is warm to touch and bone dry. (2 to 3 days)
  10. Fire in kiln to create bisqueware
  11. Dip in glaze and clean foot, repair any smudges
  12. Last fire to create glazeware bowl

Empty Bowl Rubric

Name: _____________________ Course:

√+ = Extremely high level of creativity and craftsmanship, expertly resolved

√ = Meets criteria, could push further for greater results,

√- = Barely meets criteria, more work needed for improvement, unresolved,

0 = Does not meet criteria, not finished, absent