Handmade pottery soup bowls raise money for charity

Six second-grade classes at Black Mountain Primary School made pottery soup bowls for the upcoming Soup Night on April 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

The Soup Bowl Project is funded by a grant from the Old Depot Association that promotes arts programs in local school schools. Artist-in-residence Martha Nelson, a well-known potter/instructor at the Montreat Conference Center, taught the soup bowl pottery classes at Black Mountain Primary School. She is a graduate of the Penland School of Arts and often teaches at the Sally Jones Pottery Studio at Montreat Conference Center.

“Learning to make pottery bowls is an introduction to the creative arts using a variety of tools,” Kristy Woodcock, second-grade teacher, said. “The students are learning a new art form - pottery. Also, the bowls serve the purpose of being a fundraiser when they are sold at soup night. The proceeds go the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.”

Each second-grade student made two pottery bowls. Each bowl will sell for $5 each at soup night.

Landon Parton had a great time making her bowl.

“I like to do this, but I don’t think it is going to hold soup,” she said.

“Parents, friends, and teachers love the bowls,” Woodcock said. “It is a fun way to raise money for a good cause, and the students learn a new art form at the same time.”