As winter continues into the new year, art students at EJD are hard at work on a meaningful project that will come to fruition in full bloom this spring. Each year, the school’s art program participates in the “Empty Bowls” project, a hands-on initiative that combines creation and art with community service to support Erin’s Angels Club and its mission to combat food scarcity across Oswego County.

Led by art teachers Beth Prichard and Brandi Finniss, a dedicated group of sixth- through eighth-grade students is learning the specialized craft of throwing clay on the pottery wheel and glazing finished pieces. Throughout the semester, students will design, shape and glaze handmade ceramic bowls, gaining technical skills while engaging in a collaborative and purposeful creative process.

The finished bowls will be displayed and offered for purchase at the district-wide art show in May. All proceeds from bowl sales will benefit Erin’s Angels, helping fund efforts that address food insecurity and support families in the local community.

The Empty Bowls project is more than an art lesson - it is an opportunity for students to connect creativity with compassion. As they develop their pottery skills, students also learn about philanthropy, community and the impact of collective action. The project emphasizes the symbolic idea of creating bowls with the intention of filling someone else’s — reinforcing the values of empathy, generosity and service in our Phoenix school community and beyond.

Prichard and Finniss said the project provides students with a unique chance to experience the full artistic process, from forming clay on the wheel to glazing and finishing pieces for exhibition. Students also gain a sense of accomplishment by seeing their work contribute to a greater cause.

Community members will have the opportunity to view and purchase the handcrafted bowls at the district art show this spring, supporting both young artists and an important community initiative. Information about the district art show will be shared closer to the event.