Make Your Soup Bowl for Next Year at Indian River Clay

Every November, more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind bowls fill the tables at the Samaritan Center Soup Bowl. Almost every one of them starts as a lump of clay in a community studio on 16th Street in Vero Beach. Here is how you can make your own bowl for next year.

Two smiling Indian River Clay potters holding up handmade bowls — Indian River Clay potters with finished bowls. Photo courtesy of Indian River Clay.

Meet Indian River Clay

Indian River Clay is a nonprofit community pottery studio at 1239 16th St, Vero Beach. Since 2018 it has been a place where beginners and seasoned potters work side by side, from first-timers playing with mud to artists refining their craft.

The Indian River Clay community studio entrance with its sign and arbor — The Indian River Clay community studio at 1239 16th St, Vero Beach. Photo courtesy of Indian River Clay.

The heart of the Soup Bowl

Indian River Clay calls itself the epicenter of the Soup Bowl. Its members produce over 1,200 handmade soup bowls each year for the Samaritan Center fundraiser, and the bowls are made and donated by Treasure Coast potters and volunteers. This year's 34th Annual Soup Bowl is Thursday, November 5, at the Vero Beach Heritage Center.

We are honored to host Treasure Coast potters and volunteers in creating the bowls making this a true community partnership.
Kim Mayo, Indian River Clay

Volunteers shaping and trimming bowls at work tables in the Indian River Clay studio — Volunteers shaping bowls in the Indian River Clay studio. Photo courtesy of Indian River Clay.

Two Indian River Clay members smiling at a work table while making bowls — Volunteers shaping bowls in the Indian River Clay studio. Photo courtesy of Indian River Clay.

Make your Soup Bowl bowl for next year

Take a class. The studio posts new classes often. Open as of this week: Beginner Wheel with Robbin Buller, Sundays starting November 29, 2 to 5 p.m., $260; and a four-day 4-Piece Place Setting wheel throwing workshop with Robbin Buller, Tuesdays starting December 1, 6 to 9 p.m., $150. A Christmas Snowflake Votive Holder class with Ginny runs Wednesday, November 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $65. See current classes.
Become a member. Indian River Clay offers one membership level. Stop by for a studio tour Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monthly memberships include in-studio storage on a space-available basis, and annual discounts are offered. Membership details.
Volunteer for the bowls. The studio's Outreach Committee runs the Soup Bowl work along with programs for children, seniors and veterans. Reach them at [email protected] or (772) 202-8598.

A table full of finished glazed pottery bowls in many colors — Finished bowls ready for the Soup Bowl. Photo courtesy of Indian River Clay.

More than bowls

Indian River Clay's outreach also includes the Community One Initiative Butterflies project and Indian River Next Generation Veterans, bringing clay to people across the community. You can support that work through the studio's Outreach Fund.

Indian River Clay · 1239 16th St, Vero Beach · (772) 202-8598 · indianriverclay.org

Have you taken a class at Indian River Clay? Tell us what you made in the comments on our Facebook post.

Sources: Indian River Clay, Samaritan Center press release of October 1, 2026. Photos courtesy of Indian River Clay.

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Ava Cook

Community Manager at Vero Vine

Hello!
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].