Mark your calendars!   The Empty Bowls-Wichita 2018 Chili Cook-off is Saturday,October 13th, 11 AM – 1 PM at WSU – Go Create, 4000 E 17th Street N, Wichita KS.

The Empty Bowls Project is an international grassroots movement to help end hunger. Ceramic artists around the world participate every year—and so does Wichita! Every fall, Wichita State University’s Ceramics Guild, along with Ceramics Media, the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI), the Ulrich Museum of Art and many others, work under the leadership of ceramicist and educator Brenda Lichman to raise funds for the Kansas Food Bank.

It all begins with Build-a-Bowl events. Organizations as well as individuals interested in making bowls to donate are invited to ADCI’s Henrion Hall for Community Build-a-Bowl days (Wednesday, August 29th, 4:30–7:30 PM). WSU Ceramics Guild and faculty also take the show on the road visiting Wichita-area elementary, junior high and high schools to have students make one-of-a-kind bowls. These bowls are collected, glazed and fired in preparation for the culminating event—the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off.

On the day of the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off, guests are presented with hundreds of bowls made by artists and community members, and dozens of chilies, soups and delicious desserts to try. Guests pay $20 at the door and select a ceramic bowl to keep. They take their newfound bowl, fill it with chili/soup and eat to their heart’s content.

A jury of local chefs, community leaders and President Bardo diligently sample the chilies and do the hard work of selecting winners for Best Chili, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili and Best Traditional Chili.

In addition, the event also features the Wichita National Ceramics Invitational exhibtion to benefit Empty Bowls Wichita, held at Reuben Saunders Gallery. This juried exhibition features fine ceramics works by WSU ceramics alumni and professional artists. This is a great way to get a work of art while supporting the effort to end hunger in our community.

Last year (2017), the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off welcomed over 800 people and Empty Bowls Wichita presented $20,000 to the Kansas Food Bank. Empty Bowls Wichita has funded over $60,000, providing 240,000 meals to Kansas communities since 2014. This year will be the biggest yet!

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Kansas Food Bank.
$20 donation per person/$10 donation per student (with ID)