“Last year, some 100 students and community citizens handcrafted 150 ceramic bowls that generated nearly $3,000 for United Way,” said the Rev. Ken McIntosh, United Way spokesman for Empty Bowls II. “The idea is simple. Participants create ceramic bowls, either by wheel-throwing or using a pre-made mold to shape them. Then, on the event day, dinner guests will select a bowl to purchase and use for a soup dinner.”

McIntosh said participants in the soup dinner — slated for Nov. 20 — will get to take away a reminder of their benevolence.

“They get to keep the bowl as a reminder there are 'empty bowls' all around the world,” said McIntosh. “The situation is win-win, as participants get to make ceramic art, guests at the event get to purchase one-of-a-kind art, and the proceeds go to help the hungry through United Way agencies.”

The bowl-making will take place at both the Big Spring High School or the Hall Center for the Arts on the Howard College Campus, according to McIntosh.

“Stacy Slaten from the art department at Howard College, and Judith Tereletsky, an art teacher with Big Spring High, have agreed to coordinate making community bowls at both locations,” said McIntosh. “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience creating a ceramic bowl with their help. Judith will be working with a community group Tuesday evenings and Stacy will be doing the same on Thursday evenings. This year it will take three weeks to complete the bowls.”

According to McIntosh, the Tuesday group, led by Tereletsky, will meet Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6-8 p.m. at Big Spring High School's art department for the first phase of construction. Artists will then meet Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m. for the final phase of constructing the bowls, with glazing set for Oct. 28, also from 6-8 p.m.

The Thursday group, led by Slaten, will meet Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hall Center for the Arts for the first phase of construction. Artists will then meet Oct. 23 from 6-8 p.m. for the second and final phase of construction, with glazing set for Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

Area residents interested in signing up to create an “Empty Bowl” should contact Jan Hansen at 267-5201 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

“In order to be successful, we need a number of bowls to be created by civic and business leaders, along with Howard County artists,” said McIntosh. “Sign up, and please pass the word extending this invitation to friends and family.”

Agencies helped by the United Way include the Red Cross, Boys Club, Boy Scouts, CASA of West Texas, Council on Aging, Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center, Humane Society, Girl Scouts, Isaiah 58, North Side Community Center, Salvation Army, West Side Community Center, West Side Day Care Center, Victim Services of Big Spring and the YMCA.

For more information on the “Empty Bowls II” fund-raiser, contact McIntosh at 432-517-4821.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it