Last month, the art studio at Penn Yan Middle School was transformed into a place of community service as seventh grade students hosted an “Empty Bowls” celebration as part of their Community Awareness Projects.
Each seventh grader creates a functional ceramic bowl—one that could be used every day. Students then invited a special guest, often a family member or cherished adult, to join them in the art studio for a shared meal. Many students chose to gift their handmade bowl to their guest, reinforcing conversations about the value of handmade gifts and the meaning behind giving from the heart, especially during the holiday season.
A key collaboration this year was with The Living Well, a local organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity. Living Well volunteers provided multiple breakfast and lunch crockpots and participated in a meet-and-greet question-and-answer session with students and guests. Seventh grade artists and portfolio development students shared their sketchbooks and artwork with community members, turning the celebration into a true exchange of creativity, conversation and care.
The Empty Bowls initiative at Penn Yan is led by ceramics teachers Lisa Blackburn and John Hartom, who guide the students to create handmade ceramic bowls, share a simple meal, and send those bowls home as a lasting reminder of the many people in the world who experience hunger. The project connects local students to a worldwide movement: Empty Bowls is an internationally recognized grassroots effort that brings together artists and food-related charities to raise awareness of food insecurity and inspire meaningful action.
In total, 92 seventh grade students participated, many accompanied by family members or trusted adults. The experience left a lasting impression not only on attendees, but on the students themselves. The project’s goal, educators explained, is not just to support a single organization, but to inspire a lifelong spirit of generosity and philanthropy. While in-kind donations are still welcomed, this year’s initiative will direct donations to The Living Well, further strengthening ties between students and community partners.
Throughout the process, students discussed the importance of local organizations such as Milly’s Pantry, The Living Well, and the Penn Yan Public Library, and explored how communities can work together to support neighbors in need.
Community members can continue to support the Empty Bowls initiative by donating crockpots for future celebrations, attending Empty Bowls meet-and-greet events, or contributing directly to The Living Well or Milly’s Pantry—mentioning the Penn Yan Middle School Seventh Grade Artists and the Empty Bowls Project.
Those interested in learning more or getting involved are encouraged to contact Elizabeth DeMaria, PYMS Studio Art teacher, at [email protected].