Empty Bowls Lennoxville returns
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Empty Bowls Lennoxville, an annual event supporting local food security, returns on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. for its 11th edition. Founded by Heather Thomson and potter Lucy Doheny, the event embraces the international Empty Bowls movement, where handcrafted pottery is sold to raise funds for local food banks like Moisson Estrie and Cornerstone. “We’re closing in on $80,000 over the years,” Doheny shared recently in an interview, expressing her hope of surpassing that milestone this year.
This year, the event will take place in Doheny’s driveway (37 Moulton Hill), a change prompted by the pandemic. Previously, the event featured soup served in the bowls, but the shift has allowed for a simpler and more accessible setup. Doheny explained, “If I just do empty, empty bowls, it can be in my front driveway, and then I don’t have to transport the bowls. They go straight from the studio to the table.”
The event’s bowls are a collaborative effort involving various local talents. Among those lending their skills is painter Kathryne Owen, who has been painting bowls for several years. “I love painting. It’s like instant therapy for me,” Owen said, describing the peaceful environment she enjoys while working on the bowls in Doheny’s backyard, surrounded by nature. She expressed her gratitude for the experience, saying, “Lucy keeps telling me how thankful she is, and I keep telling her I’m the one that’s thankful. We make a pretty good team.”
