Student artists at Jefferson High School helped make a big impact in the community by contributing 70 bowls to the SAMMinistries Empty Bowls Event. The annual event is a fundraiser for SAMMinistries and invites guests to purchase beautiful, hand-crafted bowls made by local artists.

Jefferson teacher Louie Gutierrez had contributed to an Empty Bowls Event when he was in ceramics in high school in California and wanted his students to have the same meaningful experience. 

“I have always been passionate about giving back to the community and I really wanted students to get involved during the holidays,” Gutierrez said. 

Gutierrez contacted SAMMinistries and was able to get Jefferson signed up for the event. His students created 70 bowls for the event, and just before he could fire them, the Jefferson kiln broke.

That’s when Sharriah Martinez and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy stepped in to help, firing the bowls for Jefferson in YWLA’s kiln so they could make the event on time. 

“It was very inspiring to have the art community come together and help each other out for this greater cause,” Gutierrez said. “We couldn't have done this without the help of the Young Women's Leadership Academy.”

The bowls the students made sold at the SAMMinistries event Nov. 12 and brought in $2,100 toward providing meals and shelter for the homeless. 

It was also a learning experience for the Jefferson students.

“Making the bowls really made me happy because it was going to a good cause, and I like to give back to my community,” ceramics student Syrus Cardenas said. “The fact that the bowls were sold for $30 is a great feeling, knowing that people would actually buy my work for that much. These bowls maybe even changed someone's life knowing that they are loved.”