The Skyline College Social Science and Creative Arts Division hosted its eighth Biennial Empty Bowls Fundraiser on March 24, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fireside Dining Room. Empty Bowls is a grassroots project that raises money and awareness of community hunger and food insecurity. Each group participating in the project works with its community to create its event.
We exceeded our goals, having the largest turnout for this event since its start at Skyline College in 2010. We raised $5,158.33 for the SparkPoint Center Food Pantry. This collaborative fundraising project provides our students with a service-learning experience and allows them to utilize their creative talents to help create social change.
Attendees chose from over 400 unique ceramic bowls, each hand-made by Skyline College ceramic class and club students with Professor Tiffany Schmierer and Studio Art Lab Coordinator Ash Asaro, Capuchino High School students with instructor Zan Levine, and CSM ceramics students with instructors Jeannie Ichimura and Zan Levine and Art Technician Eric Elfving. Additional bowls were created by Skyline College faculty, classified staff, and administrators at our Empty Bowls professional development workshops. Art student volunteers filled the bowls with various delicious soups prepared by Pacific Dining.
Our performing arts students created a lively and engaging atmosphere, starting with two performances by Professor Amber Steele’s dance students, who choreographed a custom Empty Bowls performance art dance in which water was poured between heart-shaped bowls. An energetic hip-hop performance from the PCN Dance group followed this. The Skyline College Jazz Band was next, directed by Professor Luis Zuniga, as attendees moved to the music. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble Soundscape, directed by Professor Michelle Hawkins, showcased its harmonious singing talents for the event’s finale. Theater Manager Josh Harris ran the performance sound system, keeping the tunes flowing between acts.
The fundraiser also showcased educational tables for guests to explore. Professor Jennifer Merrill and her Psychology students distributed brain-healthy recipes that use ingredients commonly distributed at Skyline College’s Food Pantry, like eggs, vegetables, and rice. Importantly, each recipe provides information about how these foods contribute to good brain health. Director Chad Thompson shared resources about the SparkPoint Center’s great work, including the food pantry and community market that provides food to students and community members. Photography instructor Dianne Jones shared digital photos her students created related to the Empty Bowls theme of food and food insecurity.
The Rosemary Barker Fund provided funds for the soup. The event organization team was Studio Art Lab Coordinator Ash Asaro, SS/CA Program Service Coordinator Andy Murillo, and Art Professor Tiffany Schmierer, with support from Acting Dean of SS/CA Bianca Rowden-Quince. A big thanks to the administration, staff, faculty, students, and community members who came and supported this event!
Article by Tiffany Schmierer, Photos by Dianne Jones and Tiffany Schmierer
