Tariffville School Fills Bowls with Care (and Ice Cream)

On January 25, 2019, Tariffville Elementary School families came out in droves to the school cafeteria to participate in the school’s first annual “Empty Bowls Ice Cream Social.” And it wasn’t about the ice cream and sprinkles—it was about helping people.

Empty Bowl gatherings were begun by Michigan art teacher John Harton as a creative way to help with food drives. Donations were collected at the door by Tariffville School Principal Steve Matyczyk. Each guest selected a handmade ceramic bowl, which they could keep to bring home as a special memento and a reminder of the need to fight hunger. The bowls were then filled with ice cream scooped by fifth and sixth grade volunteers. The $592 that was raised that night will be donated to the Hartford-based charity House of Bread, which provides food, shelter, and housing to those in need.

Approximately 130 bowls were sculpted and glazed by the members of the Fifth Grade Exhibition Committee and Sixth Grade Design Team over the past four months. The pieces were then fired in the school kiln in preparation for the big event. Ice cream and toppings to go in the bowls were the result of the generosity of Tariffville School’s Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).

Art teacher and coordinator of the effort, Dan Rosenthal-Baxter(“Mr. R-B”), selected House of Bread because of a prior school-community connection and because he and his students wanted to raise awareness about food insecurity. On such a frigid night, ice cream might be perceived as an odd choice, however, Mr. R-B asserted that considering the large number of student volunteers participating, “ice cream is manageable!”

Besides managing the menu for the evening, Mr. R-B has also managed to elevate art and teaching since he came to Tariffville six years ago. In his very first year as an art teacher there, he implemented an after-school program called Design Team, later joined by Exhibition Committee. The motto for both groups is “Art in Service to the Community,” a force that has driven many community service projects at Tariffville School. Said Mr. R-B, “This is part of my larger practice as a teacher. Learning communities are more effective when the community is more effective.”

Mr. R-B is passionate about projects like these because they create unique opportunities to not just teach art, but use it to “connect to each other and the world.” He concluded, “This was an authentic experience of raising money to help the community.”

In the cafeteria, tables were set with either art historical games for families to play or a variety of materials with which to create artwork. So even though the ice cream treats were quickly served and consumed, many families lingered for the duration of the event, spending quality time with friends, neighbors, and family.

Toward the end of the evening, Matyczyk addressed the families and thanked them for their support. He also noted, “This doesn’t happen without Mr. R-B. Long days after school, but he saw a need.”

Added Matyczyk, “What a great turnout… we may have to get a bigger venue next year!”