Rock ‘n Bowl

A Rock ‘n Bowl Art Night participants gets colorful and creative with her clay bowl.

The snow and wind of early winter often brings with it a type of chilled-to-the-bone coldness that can only be remedied with a bowl of hot, homemade soup. On Nov. 19, that was the mindset of the more than 75 community members who braved the bitter cold to create bowls that will be sold at a the annual SOUP! Benefit next February.

Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek supplied materials and simple how-to instructions for its third annual Rock ‘n Bowl Art Night last Wednesday while event sponsors AC Tap and Sister Bay Bowl provided the libations and snacks. The event was open to community members over the age of 21, who were welcome to let their creative energy flow in the warm workshop of the school while enjoying the company of neighbors, friends and business owners.

What began as round sheets of clay soon became colorfully decorated dishes that will be fired up in the kiln and eventually sold for $15 a piece at the SOUP! Benefit on Feb. 7 at Peninsula School of Art. Approximately 150 pounds of clay were used in last week’s projects.

The February sale, which will include approximately 500 bowls created by the community, will benefit Door County Habitat for Humanity and Peninsula School of Art’s Youth and Outreach Programs, which provide free art programs to local children and their families.

Rock ‘n Bowl Art Night is a way for Peninsula School of Art to engage individuals of all ages and backgrounds in the arts while giving to those in need.

“We really wanted to engage a younger audience in the Peninsula School of Art and get them involved in giving back to their community,” Peninsula School of Art Executive Director Catherine Hoke said. “If you look at it and say 75 bowls will be created and they are going to be sold for $15 a piece, that’s around $1,000 that will be shared between Peninsula School of Art and the Door County Habitat for Humanity because of what happened [at Rock’n Bowl Art Night].”

Peninsula School of Art will offer another bowl-making opportunity during its Family Art Day on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9am – 12pm. Hoke said the event is not only open to families with children, but to any individual who wishes to contribute to the project.

The SOUP! Benefit will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 from 11am – 3pm at Peninsula School of Art, 3900 County Road F in Fish Creek. For more information call 920.868.3455 or visit peninsulaschoolofart.com.