By Mike Morsch, Regional Editor
Once again, the community has stepped up. And once again, Adam Welch has been a super bowl-maker, with help from some Hightstown High School students., Approximately 250 people showed up for the second annual Empty Bowls event, which supports the Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission as well as helps the Rise Food Pantry offer hunger relief to local citizens, March 25 at Highstown Engine Company No. 1 in Hightstown., Welch, a ceramist for more than 20 years and an arts commission member, created 250 bowls for the event, which attracted double the attendance from last year’s event and raised more than $10,000 for Rise and the arts commission., Empty Bowls is an international program that engages participating artists to create and donate handmade bowls in which a simple meal is served to a gathering of community members. In exchange for the meal and the hand-made bowl, guests contribute a donation., “The turnout by the community and its willingness to give back was both touching and overwhelming. There were lots of smiling faces, so we think attendees had a great time,” said Hightstown Cultural Arts Commissioner Ann Marie Miller, who along with other arts commissioners helped coordinate the event., Sponsors for this year’s event included Hightstown Engine Company No. 1, Institute for Islamic Studies, St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cranbury, and Ashton Realtors., Musical entertainment was provided by Tanglewood and A Place To Dance performed at the event., “We actually sold out of ceramic bowls, which were beautiful, including the creative and colorful bowls made by Hightstown High School students in addition to Adam Welch’s master craftsmanship,” said Miller. “We were delighted to partner with Rise for an event that shows how the arts make a difference in our community, and hope that we can continue this event next year.”
