We were so lucky that Sona Knox contacted me with an offer I couldn’t refuse. She told me about Empty Bowls, and said she and Brittney Hammond would volunteer their time and teach each 5th grader how to throw a bowl on a pottery wheel. Then, once we glazed them, our bowls were part of the Empty Bowls display on the Square in downtown McKinney.Throwing the bowls on the pottery wheel was a great experience I couldn’t give them without Sona and Brittney’s generous volunteering of their time. I also took this opportunity to talk about art jobs (professional potter and art teacher to adults and kids with private lessons.)We also talked about how the money our 5th graders would be raising by participating as artists in Empty Bowls would go to a food bank that feeds hungry families right here in McKinney. Art power in action!Using art to change the world a little at a time was a very cool lesson to share with our whole school. This is one proud art teacher!!

Below is the article that appeared in the McKinney ISD fine arts website about our Empty Bowls participation:

McNeil 5th graders participate in Empty Bowls

“McNeil Elementary students participated in the 6th Annual Empty Bowls McKinney on April 27th. Event proceeds benefit hunger initiatives at McKinney’s Community Lifeline Center.

Sona Knox & Brittney Hammond from The McKinney Art House donated their time and taught each 5th grader how to throw a clay bowl on the pottery wheel. The students glazed their bowls and donated them to raise money for a local food bank through the Empty Bowls event.

We’re so proud of these students and their art teacher, Julia Forsyth, for participating. Fabulous work & great humanitarians.”

Source: McNeil 5th graders participate in Empty Bowls | Department of Fine Arts

Our students are listed in the artists’ names!

Each attendee paid $15 to get in. About 15 local restaurants served up their best soup recipes.