Empty Bowls Project 2022

SAL pottery and clay work tutor and learners join forces to raise money for a local Woking homeless charity.

"Think Globally, Act Locally, Change the World."

The cost-of-living crisis in the UK has increased awareness surrounding the growing issues of hunger and homelessness in our community and many organisations are working tirelessly to provide support.

Surrey Adult Learning pottery and clay work tutor Anamica Chauhan-Vince leads the Empty Bowls project and uses her skills and network to bring together people in a coordinated effort to tackle hunger in our local community.

"Empty Bowls" is an international project to fight hunger, personalised by artists and art organisations on a community level." "Empty Bowls" supports food related charities around the world, raising money to care for, and feed the hungry. The promotion and growth of the project is managed by The Imagine/Render Group.

With the help of SAL learners in the pottery studio at the Guildford centre, SAL staff, local action volunteers, fellow artists and family and friends, the "Empty Bowls" event brings together people who are serious about delivering hope to disadvantaged members of our community.

"Empty Bowls" events allows participating artists and groups to create and donate clay bowls, then serve a simple meal in exchange for a donation of money. Guests enjoy a warm meal and get to keep a handmade bowl to take home and remember the plight of the more vulnerable in our community. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each meal are donated to local charitable organisations.

This year's event took place on Sunday 23 October 2022 at the Woking United Reformed Church, Whiterose Lane, Woking and the event raised an impressive £1660 which was donated to The York Road Project in Woking.

SAL tutor Anamica was delighted and said "What an amazing day! I am so grateful for another successful Empty Bowls event. A big thank you to every person who was there, who participated in any way. Each learner who donated a bowl, the tutors, SAL staff, the technicians, the ceramic artists, the church members, York Road Project representatives, the set-up team, and the clean-up crew. The people who supported us in any way. We thank you from our heart! Funds raised will fight homelessness."

She added "I couldn't have helped to organise this event without the support of Learner Miriam from her Thursday evening class, who organises everything at the venue and SAL Assistant Curriculum Manager for Arts and Crafts, Virginia Porter, and all the students who cooked and made stunning bowls that they kindly donated for this event."