Wine and Dine, another quilt, two entry lines new at Empty Bowls this year

Empty Bowls is about to make its long-awaited annual appearance 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at St Paul’s United Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs Ave. Tickets are $25 and are available in advance or at the door.

For those who may not be familiar with the event, Empty Bowls is a local fundraiser to address hunger insecurity in the Las Cruces area. It is sponsored by the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces (PGLC) as part of its community service, in addition to promoting the love of pottery through workshops and exhibitions.

El Caldito Soup Kitchen is the beneficiary of the proceeds from Empty Bowls. The soup kitchen is a volunteer organization created in 1981. Relying primarily on donations, it serves a complete meal 365 days a year. As hunger needs have increased in the community, so too has the demand at El Caldito.  This fundraiser ensures that those needs can continue to be met.

As an attendee at Empty Bowls, you are offered a selection from hundreds of beautiful bowls, lovingly hand made by PGLC members.

Starting in the spring, PGLC feverishly gets to work for this event, making magic and transforming clay into works of art. By the time Empty Bowls has rolled around, PGLC has made more than 1,000 bowls for the event. This volume of bowls ensures guests find a favorite. There are several repeat attendees who have acquired an impressive collection of the bowls from this event.

After you have exhausted your search for the perfect bowl, you can relax by enjoying a delicious lunch, choosing from many different soups, all graciously donated by local restaurants. Local bakeries donate freshly made breads to round out your meal.

As in the past, an online auction is part of Empty Bowls. This year’s auction is Oct. 10-17 at www.mvestatesales.com. It includes pieces made by PGLC, other items made by local artists, vintage items and Native American pieces donated by a private collector. A preview begins Oct. 13.

A new event at Empty Bowls this year is Wine and Dine. For a $50 donation, you choose your wine bag, which will include a bottle from one of New Mexico’s many wineries and a gift certificate to a local dining establishment. Also new this year, PGLC members are showcasing their talents even further and have made wine cups and goblets available for purchase.

Two handmade quilts from Las Colcheras Quilters Guild will be displayed at displayed at Empty Bowls and available through auction or chance.

Also new this year, an art quilting group, BEE It A.R.T., has provided a stunning wall-art quilt that is truly unique and includes multiple mediums. This quilt will be available through a special auction.

Another new feature of Empty Bowls this year is separate event entry lines, depending on whether you have purchased your ticket in advance or are buying it at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at multiple locations throughout Las Cruces and Mesilla: Be Sew Creative, New Mexico Spanish Kitchen, Color Your World, Save Mart, The Potteries Mesilla, Spirit Winds, New Digs Clothing Exchange, Agave Artist Gallery, El Caldito Soup Kitchen and, from PGLC members.

Entrance for those who have purchased tickets in advance will be at the west court gate of St. Paul’s on north Alameda Boulevard. The entrance for those by tickets at the gate will be at the church’s south entrance on west May Avenue, which has been the traditional entrance for Empty Bowls. Cash, credit cards and checks will be accepted.

Visit www.facebook.com/emptybowlslc, www.pottersguildlc.org and www.facebook.com/elcalditosoupkitchen.