Museum of Art at MSU to Host Empty Bowl Lunch

Midwestern State University faculty, students, and volunteers made nearly 1,000 pottery bowls that will play a part in raising funds for the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank through the Empty Bowls of Wichita Falls lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU.

Juanita and Ralph Harvey School of Visual Arts Assistant Professor Steve Hilton said that he was glad to help with making the bowls because it was a worthwhile cause, and a great cause for students to be involved with. "Learning to be involved with the community is important in the education of our students," Hilton said. "Teaching that is part of our mission as a school." This is MSU's first year to be involved with Empty Bowls, and Hilton said that next year students will play a larger part in the event. More than 30 people were involved in making the bowls, and more than 300 bowls were made during a one-day Bowl-A-Thon in June.

In conjunction with the Empty Bowls event, the Empty Bowls Ceramic Galley Exhibition will be a juried showcase of bowls created by MSU graduates and current and former members of the MSU Ceramics Department staff. The opening reception will be from 5:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Museum of Art. The exhibition will be open Oct. 8-16. Concordia University's Professor of Ceramics Keith Williams will judge for first through third places. Those artists will receive cash prizes.

At the lunch, guests will be served a meal of soups and breads. In exchange for a cash donation, guests may keep one of the pottery bowls as a reminder of those who have nothing to fill their bowls. Participating area restaurants and the food they will serve include Applebee's, tomato basil soup and Tuscan bean soup; Burkburnett/Vernon Culinary Academy, burgundy beef and vegetable stew; Chili's, chicken enchilada soup; Cotton Patch CafÚ, chicken and dumplings; Iron Trail Steak House, taco soup; Jason's Deli, Spicy Seafood Gumbo; Kathy's Bakery, angel bites and brownie bites; Luby's/Monarch Catering, cream of potato soup; McAlister's Deli, broccoli cheddar soup; Qdoba, tortilla soup; Starbucks, teas and coffees; Subway, assorted cookies; THE Kitchen, chicken noodle soup; United Supermarkets/Market Street, green chili chicken stew and prime rib soup; and Yogurt Journey; frozen yogurt.

Lewis Warren Jr., a 15-year-old pianist, will provide the entertainment.

Tickets for the lunch are only sold in advance, and will not be available at the event. Tickets may be purchased online at emptybowlswf.org through PayPal or by check, or in person at United Market Street on Kell and the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank,

For more information call (940) 766-2322.