The nonprofit Sonoran Arts League is seeking the community’s help in making ceramic bowls this summer that will be sold during the Foothills Empty Bowls Project this fall. No experience is necessary.

One in five people within the Desert Foothills community are food insecure and may not know where their next meal will come from according to a press release from the Sonoran Arts League.

The free ceramic bowl-making workshops will take place at the Sonoran Arts League’s Ralph Deuschle Arts Learning Studio (Ralph’s Place) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays: July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, and Aug. 11. The workshops are open to community members of all ages, and no experience is necessary. Participants can attend as many workshops as they would like, but because space is limited, registration is requested.

Ceramic artist Robin Ray will be leading each of the workshops. A Cave Creek resident, Ray is a longtime member of the Sonoran Arts League and a well-known arts educator and advocate.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to gather with like-minded creatives and use your artistic talents to benefit our community,” Ray said in the press release. “We encourage hand building with textures in the clay using imprint and applique, forming the bowls with slumping and draping. There are also four potters’ wheels for proficient throwers. The bowls will be built, bisque fired and glazed as a group effort.”

The Foothills Empty Bowls Project began 23 years ago with 850 bowls to help raise awareness of World Hunger Day. Thanks to the efforts of local artists, students, and community members, more than 50,000 hand-crafted ceramic and glass bowls have been sold over that time.

Proceeds from the Foothills Empty Bowls Project will benefit The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, which assists families who reside in Anthem, New River, Desert Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek and other North Valley areas.

The Sonoran Arts League Ralph Deuschle Arts Learning Studio is located at 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, suite 144, in Cave Creek’s Stagecoach Village.

To reserve a spot in one of the ceramic bowl-making workshops, visit www.sonoranartsleague.org. While it’s free to participate, donations are welcome to help cover the cost of clay, glaze and firing.

To learn more about the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, visit www.foothillsfoodbank.com.