by Michelle Torres

The Ceramic Course of Rio Hondo College participated for the second consecutive year in the Empty Bowls event. Event created a few years ago to raise awareness of homelessness, for support of the Family Promise non-profit organization.

Empty bowls is an event that invites independent potters and colleges to create handcrafted ceramic bowls. Guests who did like to participate purchased tickets to a simple meal of soup, bread
and dessert donated by local area restaurants. After their meal, guests took their selected bowl home with them as a symbol of the hunger and uncertainty homeless families face daily. All money raised will go to the Family 
Promise East San Fernando Valley’s mission of assisting homeless families.

When Ceramics Professor Robert Miller learned about the event he did not had a doubt in his mind that his students will be delighted to go out of their ways during their own time to create this bowls, to be then later donated. Students volunteered and created how many bowls they did like to donate, some choosing to use materials out of their own expense. Miller expressed how appreciative he felt for being invited to participate.

Arturo Vazquez, 21 a Social Science major student took ceramics class for the art requirement, but rapidly felt in love with the expression of art. “It came as a hobby and now it is a passion”, Vazquez vivaciously said. Professor Miller has been a great professor becoming a mentor to Vazquez. Showing Vazquez key tools of the trade that have unleash his artistic expression to its fullest potential and help him flourish into an artist. Vazquez donated 40 bowls that he made out of recycle clay from the course. Concluding, “People have a hard time, me lending a hand comes as second nature”.

An Administration of Justice major, Jared Chavez 24 has also found love in art after taking the course for the experience. Taking this course has driven him to consider minoring in Arts. Chavez feels honored to have his work in a noble cause. Without delay Chavez said, “It feels good, knowing I can help someone”.

Sierra Madre United Methodist Church was witness of the many guest united from different communities joyful to participate on Sunday, April 21.