Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity Hopes to Expand Pottery Studio
There are three important elements that make Cooking on the Square such a
beloved event. The first is the hundreds of friends and neighbors who come
together on the fourth Friday of October to cook, eat and enjoy the crisp fall
weather.
Next is the variety of Cajun-themed foods and sweet treats created by local clubs,
churches and businesses.
The final element (and one many think is the MOST IMPORTANT!) is the BOWLS.
For those that aren’t familiar with the process of creating the work of art that is
available at every Cooking on the Square, much time and energy is put into taking a
lump of clay and creating the final product – a beautiful bowl waiting in the bowl
tents to be chosen by you. Many local artists and volunteers work year around to
create the bowls that are used at Cooking on the Square. In 2018, approximately
3000 bowls were used.
To keep up with the demand of this beloved event, Habitat started a pottery studio a
few years ago in their facility on East 15th Street. Local artists have come together
in this studio to create bowls for COTS.
Due to some changes beyond Habitat’s control, they need to immediately increase
their own production of bowls!
They are in need of expanding the studio to meet the growth of Cooking on the
Square. They need to accommodate more of the local artists and pottery
volunteers, who help in the process, as soon as they possibly can!
The immediate need for this expansion is $10,000.
Habitat is hoping to raise enough money to purchase two more wheels (almost $1000 each), a large kiln ($4,000), plumbing and electrical work, plus other supplies to make the Habitat
studio as productive as possible. This investment will allow Habitat to host more
volunteers to create more bowls year after year.
Habitat has created an online campaign using social media and online giving at
www.uchabitat.org, as well as encouraging supporters to send donations to 728 E.15th
Street, Cookeville TN 38501.
If you have any questions about the pottery studio or how you can support Cooking on the Square, contact Melissa Parks at 931-528-1711 ext. 7 or email melissa@uchabitat.org.