Ceramics students showcase pieces at annual Chili Bowl Sale

There is no better way to embrace fall than by enjoying warm chili in a handmade bowl. 

The Utah State University Ceramics Guild held its annual Chili Bowl Sale on the TSC patio on Oct. 16, giving ceramics students a chance to showcase their art and raise money for the guild. 

Pieces from around 15 different artists, undergraduate and graduate students, were represented at the sale.  

Haley Allbee is a transfer student who got accepted into USU’s ceramics Bachelor of Fine Arts program last semester. 

“We usually do a throw-athon, where everybody comes together all in one day, and we all make our bowls for this event,” Allbee said. “You dedicate a day, and everybody just throws as many bowls as they can, and we get as many chili bowls as we can out of it.” 

This year was Allbee’s first time selling her work in the Chili Bowl Sale. She said she enjoys seeing what pieces catch people’s eye. 

“The things that people like are not what I would pick, usually,” Allbee said. “It’s interesting to see what people are drawn to first.” 

The sale went from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving students and faculty members a chance to stop by and peruse between classes.  

Bailey Holdaway is a graduate student getting a master’s degree in environment and society.  

“It’s been going on every year that I was here in undergrad, and I never got a chance to come,” Holdaway said. “This year, I made a proactive effort.” 

The bowls were made in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and reflected each artist’s personal style. No two bowls at the sale looked the same.  

Ceramic bowls are sold outside the TSC on Oct 16.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind piece from a peer, which is really cool that you get to support your artistic peers,” Holdaway said. “And the chili is definitely a bonus.” 

Sam Richards is a third-year ceramics student. He has participated in the sale every year he has been in the ceramics program.  

“It’s a fun thing for everyone to be able to see a totally different major than yourself,” Richards said. “These people aren’t ceramics or art students, but I think it’s good to expose different parts of the university and different majors to what we’re doing.” 

According to the USU Ceramics Facebook page, the purpose of the Ceramics Guild is to “create a cohesive group of artists that gain individually by the joint efforts of the guild members.” 

The guild uses all proceeds to send students to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, an annual ceramics conference. The proceeds also help with getting new equipment for the studio spaces and funding visiting artists who do workshops and demonstrations for students.  

Richards said that most years, all bowls get sold by the end of the day.  

“Basically, anyone that wants to can come and buy a bowl and use it,” Richards said. “If you buy a bowl, you get a free bowl of chili.”  

Jessica Bruck is a graduate student getting a master’s degree in ecology.  

“The chili is just fun, it’s like a little add on. It’s fun that they’re encouraging a theme,” Bruck said. “It’s also just a fun way to get out of the office and connect with people and talk about the art.” 

The Ceramics Guild puts on another themed sale around Valentine’s Day, the annual mug sale. They also have a holiday sale at the end of fall semester and a spring sale where students present a larger variety of their individual work.