... a special part of Sensational Elora - a festival of the senses
October 2-13, 2008

What is Empty Bowls?

The Empty Bowls Project is an exciting partnership between local potters and soup-making chefs all in aid of the Centre Wellington Food Bank.

If you’ve never experienced an Empty Bowls event before, here’s a brief overview of the concept. Empty Bowls events provide a means to raise both money and awareness about poverty and hunger in our communities. Potters are the driving force behind these events, volunteering their time and energy to create soup bowls, which are then exchanged for money in support of local charities. The Elora and surrounding communities have no shortage of potters, so where better to host such an event!

As part of Sensational Elora, area residents and visitors alike will have a number of opportunities to buy a bowl and taste superb soups from area chefs and restaurants. Throughout the festival you’ll find bowls to buy at Stÿll gallery, the Elora Farmer’s Market, participating restaurants and don’t forget our big “Sensational Soup Off Event” on Thanksgiving Monday, organized by the Centre Wellington Rotary and Slow Food Elora.

This fundraising project is the perfect fit for the season of Thanksgiving. At a time when so many of us will have an abundance of family, celebration and food, there are many in our communities who at times need a little help. The Empty Bowls project is one opportunity to share what we have with others.

Where will all the bowls come from?

In August over ten area potters will congregate at the studio of Paul Kaye and Elsa Mann, Sensational Elora committee members and themselves potters. Over a period of several days they will craft over 500 bowls for this exciting fall project. Soup bowls of all styles and textures will be creatively designed, decorated, glazed and fired in preparation for the start of Sensational Elora in October. It’s a huge undertaking for a rewarding cause.

Here's who is helping out, thus far:

Elsa Mann - Mount Forest
Paul Kaye - Mount Forest
Jinni Hartmann - Waterloo
Jan Bentley - Kitchener
Monique Lippert - Elmira

Special thanks in advance to our material sponsors...

Not to be left out, the glass blowing community has also been included in the project and will be contributing hand blown drams to be sold to patrons of the Festival’s opening gala, “A Celebration of the Senses” These drams will be used for scotch and wine tastings. Proceeds from the sale of these glass drams, the hand crafted pottery soup bowls and proceeds from the Soup Off will result in a big contribution to the Centre Wellington Food Bank!

The Elora Empty Bowls Project has set a goal of raising $10,000 in 11 days for our local Food Bank.

Join us on Thanksgiving Monday?

What a fabulous finish for our inaugural festival! Bissell Park will be a buzz of activity on Thanksgiving Monday. Starting at 10 a.m. come to the park and meet all the potters and glassblowers who have participated in the project. They will have their wares set out for the day and available to purchase. At 1p.m. the Centre Wellington Rotary Club and Slow Food Elora will kick off the long awaited Sensational Soup Off. Local and visiting chefs will prepare soups of the season and compete for the illustrious title of “Best Soup Chef” with soups being served in Empty Bowls. In addition there will be live entertainment, and at 2 p.m. don’t miss the Fergus and Elora Bed & Breakfast Associations Bed Race. What a sensational combination of events for you to enjoy!

Now all you have to do is plan to attend! Bring the whole family and make it a new Thanksgiving tradition to spend the day in sensational Elora.