Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 12, 2007 – Join Cera[m!x] Pittsburgh, local arts organizations and professional potters from around the region as they come together in the fight against hunger.

As part of Cera[m!x] Pittsburgh’s goal to promote and connect ceramics communities in Western Pennsylvania, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) is working with other Pittsburgh arts organizations to support Empty Bowls—an annual fundraiser locally co-sponsored by Just Harvest and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Thanks to a generous donation of clay from Standard Ceramic Supply, venues around the city will host a series of free, open studio sessions that engage with clay while contributing to efforts to end hunger. Whether young or old, a novice or expert potter, everyone is encouraged to come get their hands dirty and make ceramic bowls to donate to the Empty Bowls dinner to be held on March 9, 2008 at Rodef Shalom synagogue in Oakland.

Cera[m!x] Pittsburgh Empty Bowls Open Houses are free and open to the public:

Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, 1815 Metropolitan Street, 15233 on the North Shore

Friday, November 16, 2007 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, 1047 Shady Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

Thursday, December 6, 2007 from 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, 1815 Metropolitan Street, 15233 on the North Shore

Empty Bowls is a national initiative founded in 1990 by a Michigan high school art teacher and his students. At Empty Bowls dinners, guests are served a simple meal of soup and bread in return for a monetary donation to benefit local anti-hunger efforts. Each guest chooses a hand-made ceramic bowl to keep as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty. For more information visit www.emptybowls.net.

Other Cera[m!x] Pittsburgh bowl-making events will be held around Pittsburgh from November through February 2008. For additional information and a schedule of events, contact Brittany Colatrella at 412-322-1773 x378.

ABOUT CERA[M!X] PITTSBURGH – Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) is honored to be site organizer for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts’ (NCECA) 42nd annual Conference. As a result, MCG launched Cera[m!x] Pittsburgh—a regional celebration commemorating the many roles ceramics plays in our lives. Collaboration between local and national artists, arts organizations, educators, universities and venues has led to an exciting and diverse line-up of activities and exhibitions. A complete listing of events is available at www.ceramixpittsburgh.org. The 2008 NCECA Conference—themed CONFLUENCE: Innovation, Community, Environment—will be held from March 19-22 at the David Lawrence Convention Center.