Our Story:
Martin Empty Bowls is a regional project of the larger grassroots movement called Empty Bowls Project. Martin Empty Bowls was founded in 2003 by UTM art professor and potter David McBeth in Martin, Tennessee.
Martin Empty Bowls' mission is to fight world hunger, beginning with those hungry in their own community and raise awareness of food insecurity in Northwest Tennessee. An annual
event is held where every donation given to the local food pantry is thanked by the gift of a handmade ceramic bowl. All donations made to Martin Empty Bowls goes to WE CARE Ministries' Food Pantry that serves Weakley County. Our University:
Martin Empty Bowls is a broad-based community project that could not function without the strong support of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Department of Visual and Theatre Arts provides generous backing by way of studio space, equipment, and materials and University Relations does a phenomenal job of spreading word of our efforts throughout the region. We are forever grateful to the students, faculty, and staff that have been involved over the years and dedicated countless hours and efforts to aid in the continuation of this project.
