Looking for a creative space? In a city like São Paulo, it’s easy to overlook opportunities right in front of you. At Graded, students, parents, and faculty have access to a dedicated ceramics studio in the Arts Center, where they can shape, glaze, and bring their own ideas to life at no cost. But beyond being an artistic space, it also plays a role in something larger within the community.
Hearty Bowls is an annual event that transforms handmade ceramics into a meaningful act of service. Through the project, community members design and craft handmade bowls that are later used in a shared dinner at school, where guests come together to support Casa do Coração (ACTC), an organization dedicated to helping children and young adults undergoing heart treatment. Founded in 1994 and based in São Paulo, the organization provides housing, meals, and psychological, social, and educational support for patients and their families who travel across from Brazil to receive treatment. By offering care beyond the hospital, ACTC makes sure that patients can continue and complete the complex treatments they need.
To better understand the impact behind Hearty Bowls, I spoke with Ms. Ariani who helped bring the project to life. The idea began after she visited ACTC and saw firsthand the work they do with children and young adults undergoing heart treatment: ‘‘I was really touched by their work, and I felt like I could help somehow’’ she shared. What was supposed and started as a single event in 2017 quickly became something much bigger as members of the community connected with its purpose and asked for it to become an annual tradition.
Additionally, beyond its fundraising aspect, Hearty Bowls is also about building connections within the Graded community. The event brings people together who might not usually interact, creating a space where students, teachers, parents, and staff can collaborate and share a new experience. ‘‘It brings the community closer and includes people from different areas of Graded’’ she explained. For many people, working with clay is something entirely new, making the process not only creative as people learn from each other, but also surprisingly therapeutic. Not only that, but a key part of the project is the freedom that it offers. While everyone starts with the same mold, each bowl becomes unique. ‘‘People can do whatever they want’’ she said, acknowledging that some designs, especially from kids, are often unexpected, but that’s what makes them special. This sense of individuality and freedom is what makes people want their own bowl during the event, as it feels personal and truly theirs.
For those who are looking to get involved, there are many ways to support Hearty Bowls and ACTC. ‘‘The best way to start helping is by participating, either by making a bowl or coming in to glaze’’ Ms. Ariani says. Even now, there are still bowls waiting to be finished and glazed.
Families supported by ACTC also attend the night and sell handmade embroidery created during their time near the hospital. Guests have the chance to enjoy the meal and connect with the stories behind the cause, whether it is by purchasing their work, learning more about the organization, or choosing to become a donor. What starts as a simple bowl of clay becomes something more: connecting people within the community, telling stories, and supporting families beyond the classrooms.
