Empty Bowls Wichita is a volunteer-led nonprofit fighting student hunger through arts activism. Each year, more than 1,750 K–12 ceramic students create handmade bowls that symbolize hope and compassion.
Our annual Chili Cook-Off brings together local chefs and the community to raise awareness and funds. Guests purchase a ticket, enjoy a delicious meal, and take home a unique handcrafted bowl. Proceeds support nonprofit organizations serving the Wichita, Derby, and Haysville public school systems, providing school-based food pantries, emergency food assistance, and healthy snack programs for students in need.
BUILD-A-BOWL events begin every fall. Organizations and individuals interested in creating bowls to donate are invited to Wichita State University’s School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries for a Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop, which is free and open to the public. Empty Bowls Wichita also takes the show on the road visiting partner organizations like Wichita area schools, art centers, and other community groups. These visits are an opportunity to inform, educate, and engage community members of all ages through hands-on art experiences, clay workshops, and discussions regarding food insecurity. Bowls made during these events are then glazed, fired and featured as part of our culminating event, The Empty Bowls Wichita Chili Cook-Off.
Empty Bowls Wichita Chili Cook-Off guests pay $35 at the door and select one of hundreds of bowls made by artists and community members. They then take their new-found bowl and sample dozens of chilis and soups, donated by local restaurant chefs and food industry partners. Once guests have enjoyed sharing this experience together, the concept is…an “Empty Bowl” is brought home to remind us of all the “Empty Bowls” in our community. All proceeds benefit organizations in Wichita to help fight food insecurity.
For more information
1. EXCHANGE TICKET FOR BOWL
Located on the first floor, exchange your ticket for a beautiful bowl crafted by talented artists.
2. VIP LOUNGE
Located on the second floor.
3. SAMPLE DELICIOUS FOOD
Indulge in chili and soup, breads and desserts from our amazing chefs.
4. VISIT THE LIBATION STATION
Grab a $5 ticket for beer or sangria or a $2 ticket for soda or bottled water, located in the middle of the atrium near the bleachers.
5. BOWL BOUTIQUE
Visit the second floor balcony to shop for an upscale artisan bowl or kid’s bowl. Cash or credit please.
6. ENJOY LIVE MUSIC
Soak up the performance throughout the venue. Let the music uplift your spirit!.
7. SIT DOWN, RELAX, CONNECT
Tables and chairs are located throughout the venue and outside. Enjoy your meal, and connect with others who share the mission to help fight hunger in our community.
Andover Edventure • Bricktown Brewery • Butler Community College • Central Standard Brewery • Chartwell's • Chef Shannon with the WSU Ceramics Guild • Chicken N Pickle • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill • First Mile Kitchen • Grace Hill Winery • Great Harvest Bread • Heartland Coca-Cola • Local Flavor • Noble Nine Bakery • Olive Tree Catering • Scotch and Sirloin • Tanya's Soup Kitchen • The Monarch • Traces of Flavor • Twelve Restaurant and Bar • Vora • Wichita Fellowship Club • Wichita Marriott • WCS Enviornmental Club
Open Streets ICT | Nomar
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Nomar Plaza
204 E 21st Street
Open Streets ICT | Douglas avenue
Sunday, September 20, 2026
noon to 4:00 p.m.
Douglas Avenue from Grove Street to Waco Street
Empty Bowls Wichita Community Build-a-bowl
Saturday, September 12, 2026
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wichita State University, Henrion Hall
Registration opens soon!
Woofstock
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sedgwick County Park
6501 W 21st Street N
Wichita Ceramic Regional Exhibition
October 2 to November 1, 2026
Opening Reception: First Friday ICT, October 2
Reuben Saunders Gallery
EMPTY BOWLS WICHITA: CHILI COOK-OFF
Saturday, October 17th, 2025
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$35 donation/$15 student donation
Kids 5 and under = free kids bowl
Wichita State University, Woolsey Hall
- Emprise Bank
- Kansas Health Foundation
- Thrive Restaurant Group
- Fidelity Bank
- KMUW
- Alpha Charlie
- Greteman Group
- NewMarket Square
- Wichita Marriott Corporate Hills
- HumanKind Ministries
- Pando Initiative through ICT Fridge Project at WPS
- North High
- West High
- Southeast High
- WSU Shocker Pantry
- Ulrich Museum of Art
- Reuben Saunders Gallery
- WSU Ceramics Guild
- WSU Art, Design & Creative Industries
- Wichita State University
- Wichita Public Schools
- Evans Ceramic Supply
- Mark Arts
Brenda Lichman
Founder and Executive Director
Brenda Lichman is a ceramicist, art educator and a community activist. In the Wichita area, she has taught ceramics at Wichita State University and Wichita East High School. Currently, she is working at the Ulrich Museum of Art as the Museum Education Curator. She is passionate about the ceramic arts and helping our community through Empty Bowls Wichita which she founded in 2014.
Favorite EB bowl A larger sized chili bowl with a gray/purple matte glaze with green dots created by her husband/partner, Ted Adler. (Ted creates 100 plus bowls every year.)
Favorite EB memory Seeing the line of guests excitedly waiting for Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off to open its doors, such a wonderful gathering of our community for a great cause.
Favorite chili/soup Vegan sweet potato chili
Sonia greteman
Chair
mike
michaelis
Vice Chair
LAURA THOMPSON
Secretary
CALEB MALONEY
Treasurer
TIM
FINNERTY
Finance & Legal
Matt Burchett
Shawn Chastain
Sarah Jane Crespo
RYAN DAWSON
Jana Erwin
Tim Finnerty
Sonia greteman
CALEB MALONEY
KENYA MCCONICO
Mike Michaelis
James Porter
Laura Thompson
Trish Vanosdel
Brenda Lichman, Ex-Officio
Creative Advocacy Utilize our creative talents to raise awareness, inspire action, and provide financial aid to those experiencing food insecurity.
Art Activism Find joy teaching our curriculum to K-12 students and empower them to discover their potential as social entrepreneurs.
Elevating Ceramics Invite, educate and inspire the community to discover, appreciate, and support the ceramic arts and artists.
Community Engagement Encourage hands-on participation through community bowl building, maximizing our collective gifts for the greater good.
Supportive Partnerships Bring passionate partners unique talents together, showing up for each other with open arms and big hearts.
Respectful Environment Operate in a genuine atmosphere of mutual respect, camaraderie, high energy, and fun.
© 2025 Empty Bowls Wichita | Site by Greteman Group | Empty Bowls Wichita is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)