CEDAR CITY – Saturday night marks the sixth year in a row that Artisans Art Gallery, 94 W. Center St., Cedar City, will warm tummies and spirits with its “Soup for Your Bowl, Art for Your Soul” fundraiser.
The annual event invites everyone to spend time in the gallery enjoying the work of regional artists, while filling up on homemade soups handcrafted by the very artists whose visions fill the room.
This year’s menu includes everything from chowders to chilis, gallery director Steve Yates said, adding that a popular dish served each year is called saag paneer, a creamy curried spinach dish with cheese served over rice with naan bread.
“I am pretty sure that will be made again this year,” he said. “Along with other stuff, like breads and desserts and refreshments. Last year we almost ran out of soups by like 6:30 (p.m.).”
The ceramic bowls are made by hand and donated by the artists for the cost of material to the gallery, which in turn sells the bowls to supporters looking to sample the bevy of flavors that await.
This year’s bowls were donated by local artisans Bonnie Swenson, Harold Snider, Derek Mulliner and the Southern Utah University Ceramics Guild.
In previous years, bowls for the popular event have nearly sold out before the soulful soup fundraiser took place, Yates said. He recommends purchasing a bowl in advance since there are less than 150 available this year.
“The bowls are great every year,” he said. “But this year our potters have really outdone themselves.”
Including bowls from 2015, Ceramics Guild Vice President Seth York said 10 artists created bowls for this year’s donation. The guild chooses a service project once a year where they either donate their wares or provide hours of service to a community project.
“This year Marcus (Najac, guild president) is also doing it for his edge project I believe,” York said. “Just donating the bowls will be good for him.”
Of all of the shindigs Artisans throws yearly, the soup fundraising event seems to be everybody’s favorite, Yates said, adding that it may have something to do with the warm soup on wintry nights, but it also could be the atmosphere.
When Artisans opened is doors in 2009 it was in a different location and operated as an artists co-op.
Though the co-op changed its format a couple of times before settling into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2014, it has maintained its sense of community and collaboration. Artisans’ current status allows it to find more funding to help create community partnership programs that connect the public to art experiences.
In 2015, Artisans was recognized by the Cedar City Arts Council for its contributions to the Cedar City arts community with an “Excellence in the Arts” award.
From painting and sculptures to photography and textiles, the gallery has continued to showcase the diverse styles and mediums that Southern Utah artists have to offer. Currently it carries the work of 54 artists from all over the area.
The gallery has added a lot of new friends since last year’s event, Yates said.
“We look forward to having them join us this year, and also welcoming back the friends who’ve been with us since the beginning.”
Event details
- What: “Soup for Your Bowl, Art for Your Soul” fundraiser
- When: Sat., Feb. 27, 2016
- Where: Artisans Art Gallery | 94 W. Center St., Cedar City, Utah
- How much: Bowls are $20 in advance and $25 at the door | All you can eat comes with bowl purchase
- Attendance and mingling are free
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