Social Kitchen: Ceramics, Food and Community will provide an opportunity to learn about creative community engaged practices in contemporary art. We will explore the issues of local food insecurity in the Bennington region and how artistic process can join forces with activism to expand awareness and seek imaginative solutions. Through direct dialog and face-to-face interaction with local residents and by researching creative interventions devised by artists/activists dealing with issues of food sovereignty and social justice students will gain understanding of the possible roles of artists in society.

Students will learn about ethics and responsibility in art practice through participation in
a project that supports the Kitchen Cupboard, a food education and distribution program
of the Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Service (GBICS) in Bennington, VT. In collaboration with local participants, the class will not only produce ceramic bowls which will be used at the 2019 Empty Bowls communal soup supper. A series of weekend ceramics workshop sessions will be conducted so that residents and students can learn collectively and work toward a mutual production goal. Previous experience in ceramics is not required but an open mind learning attitude, positive involvement in discussions and a high level of commitment in the collaborative event planning/promotion and weekly production are expected.

Corequisites: All students must also register for Social Kitchen Ceramics Lab

**When you register for this course online, the Registrar’s Office will register you in the corequisite course Social Kitchen Ceramics Lab (APA2219.01) on Wednesday, May 15**