Walk In Art Center Celebrates 5th Annual Souper Bowl Fundraiser

The Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven hosted its fifth annual Souper Bowl fundraiser on February 6, 2026. The event drew approximately 150 attendees, who each paid $28 for a handcrafted pottery bowl filled with their choice of four delicious soups. The menu featured Italian Wedding, Chicken Corn Noodle, Broccoli Cheddar, and Potato Leek, allowing guests to enjoy a hearty meal while supporting a local cause.

Jacqueline Engel, the center’s executive director, announced that the event successfully raised $2,500 to support the Clay Haven Pottery program. This initiative enables potters to create a variety of glazed bowls throughout the year, culminating in the popular Souper Bowl event, which has become a cherished tradition at the center.

Among the potters contributing to this year’s event was Gigi Marlatt, who crafted around 50 bowls. Her interest in pottery began during her time at Blue Mountain High School, and she now finds a creative outlet in molding colorful soup bowls. The process of throwing a bowl on a potter’s wheel typically takes about half an hour, but the subsequent steps of firing and glazing can extend over several weeks.

Another participant, Cindy Becker, a longtime potter and retiree from Berks County, echoed the sentiment of dedication required in the craft. “Throwing bowls takes a lot of effort,” she remarked, reflecting on her own journey that began at Hamburg High School.

Guests at the Souper Bowl were treated to a selection of over 100 unique bowls, each with varying colors, shapes, and sizes, displayed prominently in the center’s third-floor gallery. The timing of the event coincided with the first Friday of the month, allowing the center to incorporate additional programming, including the Wild & Wooly fabric arts exhibit and the Coffee House Cabaret.

The center’s award-winning weavers, known as the BAAAhd Girls, showcased their skills, having recently received accolades at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The BAAAhd Girls secured third place for the second consecutive year, while their counterparts, The BAAAhd Company, achieved an impressive eighth place in their inaugural Sheep To Shawl competition.

Master weaver Lorraine Felker, who serves as president of the Fiber Arts Guild, provided insights into the creative process behind their award-winning “Purple Mountain Majesty” shawl. As she explained the eight design variations that contributed to the final product, fellow weavers modeled the designs, highlighting the craftsmanship involved.

The Fiber Arts Guild is hosting a month-long exhibit in the Main Gallery, culminating in the “Ewes & Yarns” exhibit at the upcoming inaugural Fiber Faire. The atmosphere during the Souper Bowl was further enhanced by the musical offerings of the Open Roads Crew, who performed a lively mix of classic rock and country at the Coffee House Cabaret.

For more information about upcoming events and initiatives at the Walk In Art Center, interested parties can visit their official website at walkinartcenter.org.