Turning for Empty Bowls

2024 AAW Symposium:

Each year at the AAW International Woodturning Symposium, AAW members donate wood turned bowls (and other turned items) they have created to the Empty Bowls project. The bowls are sold during the Symposium to raise money for a nonprofit selected by the chapter hosting the event. Large or small, each bowl costs only $25. One hundred percent of the proceeds this year will support Sunshine Division – an organization that has been providing free accessible food and clothing relief to Portland families and individuals since 1923.

“Sunshine Division is a century-old organization that has been providing emergency food assistance in the Portland-metro neighborhoods since 1923. The past decade, we have witnessed an exponential rise in demand, and we’re currently serving over 100,000 households annually. Our mission is simple: we provide free accessible food and clothing relief to Portland families and individuals in need. We are the only food pantry in the Portland Metro area that is open and can respond on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis through our partnership with the Portland Police Bureau who has food boxes at every precinct and the ability to help people in crisis.”

Learn more about Sunshine Division here.

How you can help:

You can be a part of this wonderful effort by donating your turned bowls to the Symposium. They can be any shape, size, or type of wood! Please keep in mind that every bowl will be listed at $25. Also, it does not have to be a bowl. Other turners have brought pens and other turned items valued at $25.

You can drop donations off at the Instant Gallery check-in at the Symposium, or if you won't be attending the symposium, you can ship them in advance by filling out this form. Once the form has been submitted, you will receive the shipping address. Please ship your items to arrive by May 16.

FAQs:

Should I sign/date my bowl?

Signing and dating your bowl is a nice extra touch. People who buy your bowl will appreciate knowing who created it. Your bowl might become someone’s family heirloom.

What size is accepted, and can I donate more than one?

Bowls of every size are appreciated and there is no limit to the number of bowls you can donate. The more the merrier!

How do I buy a bowl?

Visit the Gallery Hall at the AAW Woodturning Symposium May 23-26 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

How many bowls can I buy?

There is no limit to the number of bowls you can purchase. Please purchase as many bowls as you like; they make excellent gifts!

Can I use a credit card to buy a bowl?

Yes, Empty Bowls accepts cash, credit, or debit cards.

We thank turners like you for making this program a success!