Soup’s On: Empty Bowl Fundraiser
For the second consecutive year, the St. Johnsbury Academy community has proudly partnered with Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) to support their annual fundraiser, Soup’s On: Empty Bowl, taking place on October 2. NEKCA is a leading organization in the NEK addressing poverty through education, partnerships, and community initiatives.
In preparation for the event, the school’s pottery studio came alive on a recent Tuesday evening as community members gathered to create a collection of unique, hand-crafted bowls. Michael Chatterley, Chair of the SJA Art Department and pottery instructor, opened the studio and welcomed a diverse group of participants—including current students, prospective students, alums, faculty, staff, and members of the public. For senior Ruby Tillotson, this was her first time glazing pottery, and she said, “I am so glad that I am able to share my art to help the community.”
After a brief introduction to the process, Chatterley offered tips on how best to draw and paint on curved, three-dimensional surfaces. From there, creativity took over. Some participants carefully sketched their designs in pencil, while others dove straight in with brushes, painting freely or following inspiration from images on their phones. Each bowl became a personal expression of care and community, destined to be part of an event that raises awareness and support for those facing food insecurity in the Northeast Kingdom.
Before the event, Chatterley made each of the bowls from recycled clay in the studio, a process that takes him two to three minutes per bowl. He also noted that the glaze used was surplus material, further reducing the cost of supporting the event.
As he readied for the evening, Chatterley shared his broader vision: to deepen community engagement and raise awareness about poverty in the Northeast Kingdom. “Events like this strengthen community buy-in and contribute to the success of fundraising efforts,” he said. “The long-term goal is to grow the event mindfully, ensuring it remains sustainable.”
Last year, 45 bowls were sold; this year, the goal is 60 bowls. Clay’n Around, on Railroad Street, also opened their studio for a community glazing party to help with the effort.
NEKCA provides invaluable services to our community every single year. Last year, they served 3,198 households, provided over 17,000 food distributions, and helped shelter more than 90 people. Supporting local organizations like NEKCA is more important than ever.
The Soup’s On: Empty Bowl event will take place on October 2 at Wandering Vine, located at 378 Railroad Street, in St. Johnsbury. Sittings are at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Each sitting lasts 90 minutes. Additional information can be found at www.nekcavt.org. The event flyer can be viewed here.
