Touch

Empty Bowls and Glasses

“From its humble beginnings as a meal for the staff of one high school, Empty Bowls has spread across the United States and beyond and has raised tens of millions of dollars for anti-hunger organizations.”

The Empty Bowls Project was created with the purpose of raising funds for local hunger-fighting organizations, like the Centre Wellington Food Bank. During the summer students and local potters unite to create dozens of hand-crafted bowls which are later bought and used during the Sensational Soup-Off. The bowls are offered to the public, which anyone can purchase for  a donation of $25 and for an additional $15 dollars, people wishing to participate in the Soup-Off can purchase an array of outstanding soup samples, all created by local professional, amateur, and youth chefs. Each bowl comes with a “Scoop of Soup” coupon and a list of local restaurants which the coupon is redeemable at.

a few finished bowls

A program truly unique to Sensational Elora, The Empty Glasses Project gathers glass artists from the surrounding area together to create amazing hand-blown and etched glass drinking vessels. Whether it be a cup, goblet, or flute glass, all are available during specific Sensational Elora events.

A hand-made glass in the final stages of shaping

The bowls and glasses will be available during the entire 11 days of Sensational Elora at the Styll Gallery on 5 Mill St. East or from the Sensational Elora office on 9 Mill St. East with the donation of $25 dollars, of which proceeds go to local organizations that help prevent hunger.

Raku Firing

Now some of you may be wondering, what exactly is raku firing? Raku firing is a process where fire and smoke are used to create unique patterns and designs on different pieces of pottery. The pottery is first bisque fired, glazed, and then undergoes raku firing. The raku pottery that will be created is made from a special clay that can withstand high temperatures that traditional pottery clay cannot.  During the raku firing in Sensational Elora, glazed vessels are provided and it is up to you and your creativity to design a unique ceramic that is all your own. Have you ever done raku before? If so, what have you made? 

A few pots undergoing raku firing

 

The firing takes approximately 30 minutes and is held in Staci Barron’s studio in The Elora Pottery & Gallery. Don’t miss out on this fascinatingly artistic experience.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sensational Race

Ever heard of the Amazing Race? Well, the Sensational Race is much like it.  Starting at the Wellington County Museum, the Sensational Race will take teams all over the Village of Elora and the surrounding area, testing the competitors’ mettle in each of the five senses. This is a fun, challenging way to get friends and family together for some real competition. The teams all gain a great opportunity to see the fabulous sights and scenes of the Elora area.

If you want to participate in the Sensational Race than hurry to the Sensational Elora website to register for this years event.  You must be pre-registered to participate.

The Art of Tarot

From the First Tarot cards hand-painted in Milan during the early Renaissance, to the Marseilles deck of the 1700′s to the literally hundreds of decks available today, the Tarot has had a rich artistic history. Tarot cards can be used for practical problem-solving, meditation, self-improvement, fortune-telling, and even for card games. Some collect Tarot cards simply for the joy of the artwork, while other delve further into research and study of the history of Tarot cards. What do you know about Tarot cards? Do you have any of your own or ever had a reading?

While enjoying the private room at Whispers Restaurant, guests can learn about the history, fascinating images, stories, and artists connected to the Tarot. For those who wish to hear about their future or simply have some fun, you can have a Tarot card reading by Shelley Carter, Tarot reader and enthusiast, after the discussion.

Pumpkin Day

This family-friendly event begins in April when pumpkin seeds are distributed through local schools. Young children are given an envelope of pumpkin seeds with planting instructions. They are then able to go home and dig around in the dirt planting seeds, getting as dirty as they please. The families take care of the growing pumpkins and, come October, pick out the best one and take it to the Elora Farmer’s Market to be judged. At the market you will also find pumpkin pie, pumpkin carving, and even pumpkin ice cream. Also, as very special treat, there will be live music for one and all by the Funky Mamas.

A pumpkin amongst the pumpkins

 This event is 100% free and 100% fun. Whatever you wish to purchase will go to the people at the Elora Farmer’s Market. This event is organized simply as a way to get the family together for some good, wholesome fun.  

The Edible Garden

A hint of Basil

This Festival of the Senses simply would not be complete without the garden. Every sense is used in both tending to it and enjoying it. This is why we wish for you to join our horticulturist, Daisy Moore, to discover more about the floral beauties that you can use in your soups, salads, potables, and other comestibles. You will learn not only how to grow these plants, but also how to combine them in a sensational fashion. Do you have a favourite spice or herb? tell us what you do to spice up your meals.

Participants will have the opportunity to customize their own edible gardens and there will be sampling of edible garden goodies prepared by the Whispers’ chef.