Deep Blue Ceramics: In the Media
Art meets heart as Empty Bowls brings creative compassion to Canberra
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It’s a simple concept: choose a bowl made by a local artist, fill it with a warm curry, eat mindfully, then carry it home empty – a powerful reminder of those facing food insecurity in our local community.
This July, art lovers and community members will gather together to take part in Empty Bowls, a global grassroots movement to end hunger, as it comes to Canberra for the very first time.
Beginning in Michigan in the early 1990s, the goal of Empty Bowls is to raise money and awareness for food security programs and organisations fighting hunger. Taking place at Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre on Saturday 12 July, the force behind the first Canberra iteration of the event is Amy Beggs-French, the founder of Deep Blue Ceramics.
Starting her business in 2018 and opening her current studio space in Weston in 2023, Amy began Deep Blue Ceramics after realising she wanted to offer the local community something meaningful that combined creativity, community, and wellbeing – some of the same driving forces between Empty Bowls.
“I’ve known about the Empty Bowls movement for some time and always felt it would be a perfect fit for Canberra – a creative, caring city with a strong community spirit,” she says.
“I wanted to bring Empty Bowls to Canberra as a tangible way for our creative community to support those experiencing food insecurity. There’s something powerful about sharing a meal and leaving with a reminder of the impact you’ve made. It’s art with heart – and Canberra is ready for that kind of meaningful event.”
Credit: Lighthouse Studio.
Including a warm lunch of rice and vegetarian curry catered by community cult favourite Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant, all proceeds from the $40 ticket will go directly to HelpingACT, a local charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Running for two hours, attendees will also leave with a unique ceramic bowl made by a local artist or community member – a reminder of the change the event can make.
“Fundraisers like Empty Bowls not only raise money – they raise awareness, strengthen community ties, and offer a hopeful vision of what’s possible when we come together with compassion and creativity,” explains Amy.
“I hope people walk away feeling nourished in every sense – body, heart, and soul.”
Bringing it back to the community in every sense of the word – Rama’s offer to cater the event reflects the spirit of Empty Bowls, while HelpingACT takes a grassroots, human-centred approach that aligns with the values of the initiative – all the funds raised on the day will directly support food distribution programs and bring dignity and comfort to those who need it most.
And with the cold weather upon us, it’s also a timely reminder that art can make real impact.
“Guests can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere filled with handmade beauty, meaningful conversation, and the joy of giving back,” says Amy.
“Empty Bowls is truly a team effort, and it’s a beautiful example of what can happen when creativity meets kindness.”
Working in an office, Amy wanted something else in her life. Buying a handmade mug at a market unlocked her love for ceramics. Seven years later, Amy owns Deep Blue Ceramics and is preparing to open her studio on Sunday 8 October.
Welcoming visitors into her purpose-built studio, the open day is a chance to get to know the maker behind the brand, experience the space, and ask any burning ceramics questions you might have.
“I’m planning on having the wheels operational, so, if anyone wants to give it a little go and just see if it’s something that they might be interested in,” says Amy.
Starting her journey by enrolling in a ceramics course at Canberra Potters, Amy was exposed to a variety of clays and techniques. After the term concluded, she continued her education through self-guided exploration and a bit of help from other potters.
“I started making quite a bit and then my husband’s like, ‘So what are we going to do about all these pots that you’ve made?’ That’s basically how the business started; I started selling my wares at markets and then at some shops, both locally and a little bit further afield,” she says.
From a practice of grounding and wellbeing to a career path, Amy is passionate about clay and started teaching others how to work with the medium two years ago. Appreciating the spaces where she taught, she was inspired to create a studio – her own comfortable and inclusive space to teach students with her warm and nonjudgmental approach
“My preference is to teach technique, and show and encourage and invite people to use that technique in a way that they’re feeling called to. I give some advice and plant some seeds of inspiration here,” she smiles.
According to Amy, Canberra is hot for pottery. She says there is quite a lot of demand for classes around town, and her studio houses eight student pottery wheels. The purpose-built learning environment will host several learning options including one-off classes, full-length courses and private get-togethers.
“I also want it to be a bit of a community space,” she says. “I have another few artists that I know who have also expressed interest in using this space. I’ve got a soap maker coming to run soapmaking classes, a candle maker, and a painter – both oil and watercolour painting classes will be held here in time, probably in the new year.”
Sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices are core values for Amy, with her business being certified net zero. The studio will operate completely solar powered – including the kiln, while all water is recycled, and other studio materials are consumables that are upcycled or repurposed as much as possible.
“I recycle all of the clay that gets used, so there are some really fine white clays then there’s some darker, more speckly sort of options and any little scrap that’s leftover, I recycle all of that, then reuse the clay. It can basically be infinite,” she says.
Earthy with a pop of colour, Amy’s designs are welcoming and eye-catching. This is another area where she practices sustainability, with the confetti design being fun and unique.
“Whenever I’m glazing anything, there’s always a little bit that spills on the table. Rather than just wiping it up and getting rid of that, I will painstakingly chip it up and make little confetti mix.”
The Japanese design philosophy of wabi sabi – which sees the beauty in imperfection – runs deep in Amy’s artistic practice. She says if something is flawless it may as well be mass-produced; it has to have a bit of wonkiness and character.
“When you’re holding the mug, when you’re drinking your favourite brew from it, you can tell it’s handmade, you can feel, you might even see a little thumbprint or a little bit where I’ve touched it and you’re like ‘A real person actually spent the time to make this beautiful piece’. That’s what made me fall in love with pottery,” she smiles.
All of Amy’s pieces are fired at a temperature that makes them dishwasher-safe. Focusing on functional ware, the potter wants to create pieces that will be used regularly and be a joy for the owner to do so.
“I want them to beloved and I think like a vase or whatever, it’s not appreciated the same way a mug is, yeah, but they’re both in the home and both getting used on a daily or weekly basis. Every time you look at it or touch it or whatever, it should bring joy,” says Amy.
Head to the website to book classes or workshops, find pieces for sale or express your interest in a commissioned piece. If you want to buy in person, Amy often sells at markets around town and her pieces are stocked in a number of stores; details online.
For details about the grand opening of the Deep Blue Ceramics studio on Sunday 8 October, visit deep-blue-ceramics.myshopify.com