Buy Bowl, Fill it With Soup or Chili to Support Arts

Buy an artistic bowl and fill it with soup or chili for lunch Saturday to support the Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth. The center’s second annual Soup Bowl Benefit Saturday, March 26, raises funds for its Education Department. 

More than 300 handmade bowls, created from clay by talented Hudgens ceramics studio instructors and students, will be available for purchase for $25 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Atlanta Clay donated materials for the bowls. Each pottery purchase includes a free serving of soup, chili and bread. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Bldg. 300, and serves all of Gwinnett County.

The fundraiser was well-attended last year and is becoming a popular community event. "This is a great, fun way to support your local arts community,” said Angela Nichols, education director for the center. “Come out to The Hudgens, have a delicious lunch, and leave with a handmade treasure." 

The selection of soups, chili and bread will be provided by local restaurants and caterers including Johnny Carino’s, Only Hors d’oeuvres, Proof of the Pudding, Publix, Magnolia Café and Carole Parks Catering.

A Preview Party on Friday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. features wine and hors d'oeuvres. Guests will have first choice of the bowls on sale for $30, as well as the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. Some items in the silent auction will close out Friday night, while others will remain open for bidding through Saturday's event. 

There also will be pottery wheel demonstrations, ceramics studio tours and live musical entertainment.

The nonprofit Hudgens Center for the Arts has been supporting the arts in Gwinnett County since its establishment in 1981. The center presents exhibits year-round and offers art classes for adults and children. For more information about art exhibits, events and classes at The Hudgens, visit the website or call 770-623-6002.