Join the fight against hunger in our community
Empty Bowls is an international, artist-driven movement to help end hunger. Ceramic artists around the world participate every year—and so do artists in Wichita. Every fall, the Wichita State University Ceramics Guild, along with Ceramics Media, the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI), the Ulrich Museum of Art and many others, work under the leadership of ceramicist and educator Brenda Lichman to raise funds for the Kansas Food Bank.
It all begins with Build-a-Bowl events. Organizations as well as individuals interested in making bowls to donate are invited to ADCI’s Henrion Hall for Community Build-a-Bowl days. WSU Ceramics Guild and faculty also take the show on the road visiting Wichita-area elementary, junior high and high schools to have students make one-of-a-kind bowls. These bowls are collected, glazed and fired in preparation for the culminating event—the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off.
On the day of the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off, guests are presented with hundreds of bowls made by artists and community members, and dozens of chilies, soups and delicious desserts to try. Guests pay $25 at the door ($10 for students) and select a ceramic bowl to keep. They take their newfound bowl, fill it with chili/soup and eat to their heart’s content.
A jury of local chefs and community leaders diligently sample the chilies and do the hard work of selecting winners for Best Chili, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili and Best Traditional Chili.
All proceeds from the silent auction and ticket sales go to the Kansas Food Bank.
Check us out on Facebook @emptybowlswichita
2022 Empty Bowls Events
Empty Bowls Build-a-Bowl Workshop
Learn how to make a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl with the WSU Ceramics Guild as they demonstrate wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. The bowl you make (or glaze) will be donated to the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-off fundraiser on October 22. Space in limited and availble on a first-come basis.
Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Wichita State University - Henrion Hall
Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. October 22, Wichita State University - Woolsey Hall
Empty Bowls in the News
Empty Bowls: Chili Cook-Off | Wichita by E.B.
Where's Shane? Building a Bowl | KWCH Channel 12 | August 2017
Build A Bowl, Combat Hunger | KMUW | August 2017
Eat the soup, keep the bowl at Saturday slurping event in Wichita | Wichita Eagle | October 2016
A.R.T.S. After school Program Students Help with Empty Bowls | Wichita Public Schools | October 2016
Empty Bowls art show, chili cookoff to benefit Kansas Food Bank | Wichita Eagle | October 2015