Empty Bowls Wichita began in 2014 through the leadership of ceramicist Brenda Lichman and Wichita State University Professor and Area Head of Ceramics Media, Ted Adler, both passionate about celebrating community service and the ceramic arts. Empty Bowls Wichita has successfully raised substantial funds to fight food insecurity within our community. Our mission extends beyond fundraising with a range of programs, exhibitions, and public events that foster community building. By engaging participants in the creation and donation of bowls, we strengthen the bonds within our community and promote a shared commitment to addressing hunger-related challenges through the arts.
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.
THE BELMONT • BIOSHOCKERS LLC • BRICKTOWN BREWERY • CENTRAL STANDARD BREWERY • CHEF LOUDERMILK • CHEF SHANNON WITH THE WSU CERAMICS GUILD • CRUST AND CRUMB • EAST HIGH CULINARY CLUB • FIRST MILE KITCHEN • GRACE HILL WINERY • GREAT HARVEST BREAD • HEARTLAND COCA-COLA • JASON'S DELI • LOCAL FLAVOR • MI SUENO • OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY • OLIVE TREE CATERING • SCOTCH AND SIRLOIN • TANYA'S SOUP KITCHEN • TWELVE RESTAURANT • WICHITA FELLOWSHIP CLUB • WICHITA MARRIOTT • VORA
EAST HIGH IN SERVICE EMPTY BOWLS PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP
Friday, February 14th
12:30 to 3:10 p.m.
Wichita East High School
MAIZE MIDDLE SCHOOL AT WSU EMPTY BOWLS CURRICULUM
Friday, March 14th
TBD
Maize Middle School
ICT OPEN STREETS - WSU & SHOCKER NEIGHBORHOOD
URBAN CANVAS ART MARKET
Sunday, April 13th
Noon to 4 p.m.
Wichita State University, Fairmount & 17th
ICT OPEN STREETS - NOMAR
Sunday, May 4th
Noon to 4 p.m.
NoMar International Market, 21st Street from Broadway to Woodland Park
Ulrich Museum of Art, Senior Wednesday: BUILD-A-BOWL
Wednesday, June 18th
10 a.m. to noon
EMPTY BOWLS WICHITA: CHILI COOK-OFF
Saturday, October 18th
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$35 donation/$15 student donation
Kids 5 and under = free kids bowl
Wichita State University/Woolsey Hall
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
anne buford
Matt Burchett
Shawn Chastain
Sarah Jane Crespo
Jana Erwin
Tim Finnerty
Sonia greteman
Jessica lada
CALEB MALONEY
Mike Michaelis
James Porter
Sandra Sanchez
Laura Thompson
Trish Vanosdel
Brenda Lichman, Ex-Officio