Empty Bowls to be filled February 5

DOUBLE SPRINGS - After a year’s hiatus, the Empty Bowls dinner, which benefits both the Winston County Arts Council and Main Street Ministries, is coming back Thursday, Feb. 5.
The 13th event, which will be held at the Double Springs Municipal Building, will start at 5 p.m., complete with at least 25-30 vendors serving all styles of soups, as well as over 300 handcrafted bowls from the Winston County Ceramic Studio given to all attendees.  The ticket price is $15, according to event organizers.
During its history, the event has been juggled between February and October.  It was last held in October, 2024, organizers said.
At this year’s Empty Bowls, baked goods will  be available for purchase, along with works of art from the watercolors class in Arley, organizers added.
With an average attendance of 300 people, Empty Bowls annually raises about $6,000, which is divided evenly to benefit the arts council’s educational programs and to help Main Street Ministries provide food for those in need, according to J.D. Snoddy, president of the boards for both the arts council and Main Street Ministries.
Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the event, or can be purchased from any member of the arts council, members of the Arley Women’s Club, at the Arley Public Library and the Winston County Circuit Clerk’s office in Double Springs, organizers continued.  
The $15 ticket price is for those ages 12 and older.  Children under age 12 are admitted free of charge to the event, emphasized Susan Ripp, an arts teacher through the arts council as well as arts council board member.
However, children under 12 who want one of the handcrafted ceramic bowls will have to pay $10 for it, Ripp said.
“Only ticketed people get a bowl,” she specified. 
The ceramic bowls are created at the Winston County Ceramic Studio, located on the Meek Schools campus, under the direction of Sandra Heaven, who originally brought the Empty Bowl concept to Winston County, Ripp said.
Ripp will also have watercolor paintings from her class on display at the event for purchase, she said.
“Our painters have been working tirelessly to get their paintings done,” said Ripp, adding at least 60 matted 5x7 watercolor paintings can be purchased for $20 each at Empty Bowls this year.
“It’s important because all schools need more art in them,” stressed Arts Council Board Member Marcia Posey.  “I was a teacher, so to me, kids can’t always excel in maybe math and reading, but they can do art.
“Even with children with special needs, it is amazing the art they can do,” Posey added. “We need art teachers at each school, desperately.  I hope this money will be used for that and we can find the right person to put in each school.”