Andy Rahe and Jeremiah Mills Work on Bowls Project. (Photo/Megan Leffler. Academy Tech.)

Ceramics teacher and advisor to Empty Bowls Project, Mr. Rahe’94 started exploring an idea last year that would allow Academy students to help others in need. He modeled his venture on a program called Empty Bowls club, after he visited a Maryland school that embarked on this community service task.

Rahe wanted to create a project that would advance our student’s knowledge about pot throwing, along with an awareness of community need. Rahe says, “I figured with this year, with the new space, launching a good service project that was pretty involved and could be co-curricular would something good for the students to do.”

So ceramics students have been throwing soup bowls that have specific measurements, to ensure the end results’ quality and consistency.

After firing the bowls, students will coat the pots with glazes that are safe for eating. On Friday, December 9, at Otterbein University, the bowls along with a soup dinner will be sold for $15 each.

The proceeds will be used to buy building materials for a Habitat for Humanity house that Academy will also partner with in the spring.

Rahe says, “It’s cool because we have that specialized skill set, something that we can do as artists that other people can’t do. It is a good way for us to incorporate service learning with the specialized skill that we have as ceramic students and can use these talents to help other people.”