Local artists and celebrities turned out at the Sedona Arts Center to create their "loving" ceramic bowls to be sold at a two-day event opening on December 4, 2009 (5-8pm) and continuing through December 5, 2009 (10am-3pm). Local artists' bowls cost only $10 and the proceeds go to the Sedona Community Centers "Meals on Wheels" programs. Celebrity bowls are included in a Silent Auction that closed at 7:30pm on Friday evening.

'Loving Bowls' event returns for 2-days at the Sedona Arts Center beginning December 4, 2009

Local artists and celebrities create bowls, proceeds donated to "Meals on Wheels"

Sedona, AZ (November 17, 2009) - After a long absence, a unique philanthropic event, LOVING BOWLS, returns to Sedona at the Sedona Arts Center Community Gallery and Theatre Classroom on First Friday, December 4th.

The challenge was set early this year for hundreds of bowls to be created and donated by local area potters; plus, twenty hand-painted, glazed bowls by local celebrity artists. So many potters and artists responded to the call that it became an exciting joint venture of willing hands and giving hearts.

Over 300 Loving Bowls were created for the two-day event, which opens on First Friday, December 4^th (5 – 8pm) and continues Saturday, December 5^th (10am – 3pm).

The evening will be a festive affair. With the purchase of a bowl for only $10, you will have the opportunity to fill it with delicious hot chili to warm your bones on a cold winter’s night, and enjoy a beverage and wonderful chocolates for dessert (provided by a generous donor). You will also want to join the fun and anticipation of bidding on your favorite celebrity bowl in the Silent Auction. Don’t miss the cut-off time ~ bidding closes at 7:30pm on Friday evening.

Adrian Grenier, star of HBO's Entourage, creating his 'Loving Bowl' at the Sedona Arts Center

Adrian Grenier, star of HBO’s “Entourage,” stopped by the ceramics dept at the Sedona Arts Center last week to paint a Loving Bowl for the event.

Adrian Grenier, star of HBO’s “Entourage,” stopped by the ceramics dept at the Sedona Arts Center last week to paint a Loving Bowl for the event. His bowl is only one of a wide variety of bowls created by local celebrities such as Adele Earnshaw, local award-winning professional artist, and Cliff Hamilton, Sedona City Councilman.

Sedona Arts Center provided the clay, glazing and firing of all bowls, which was made possible through a generous anonymous gift that covered the costs of the event. Sedona Arts Supply generously provided the low-fire glazes.

The event is a farewell tribute to Ed Oshier who recently passed away. Twelve years ago, at the suggestion of his wife, Mary Jane, Ed proposed an event that would benefit the Sedona Adult Community Center’s “Meals on Wheels” programs. The result was the 1^st Annual LOVING BOWLS Event, patterned after a national program called “Empty Bowls.”

Ed Oshier and Denise Lapp, Executive Director of the Community Center, engaged twenty potters to donate handmade ceramic bowls to be sold at what they hoped would become an annual two-day event. The 1^st Annual Loving Bowls in 1997 was a huge success with 350 pieces donated by local artists. Every bowl was sold in two days, earning over $4000. The event continued each year until Denise Lapp resigned her position with the Community Center. Without a champion at the helm, the event disappeared.

Loving Bowls.

Sedona Arts Center chose to resurrect Loving Bowls this year (2009), spearheaded by Dennis Ott and the Center’s Ceramics Studio. The benefactors are: the Adult Community Center’s “Meal on Wheels” program, the Old Town Mission of Cottonwood, and the Sedona Arts Center’s Scholarship Fund. It is a worthy cause and promises to be a memorable event. We hope you will join the fun.

The Sedona Arts Center and Ceramics Studio is located at the corner of State Route 89A and Art Barn Road at the north end of Uptown Sedona - on the right just before you enter Oak Creek Canyon. For information on classes or exhibits, call 928-282-3809 or visit our website: www.SedonaArtsCenter.com.