Gizmo pottery fundraiser set for Oct. 24

Community members are invited to go "bowl-istic" next Saturday at Gizmo-CDA.

A fundraiser benefiting the pottery studio at Gizmo is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 in the makerspace at 283 Hubbard Ave., Suite 102, in the Hedlund Building on the North Idaho College campus. 

Now in its third year, the fundraiser has brought in more than $6,000 since its inception, with proceeds going to the pottery studio for supplies and equipment, as well as improvements like a new worktable, new shelving and kiln upgrades. 

The event is free, though attendees can spend $20 to purchase one of more than 200 handcrafted ceramic bowls and fill it with popcorn. Attendees can also bid on additional pieces created by area potters and ceramicists. 

Pottery instructor Maggie Shenk said studio members volunteered to create the bowls that will be up for purchase. 

"When you start to see what people in our community are making and the creativity that's out there, it's amazing," she said. 

Melissa Helvey has been a member of the pottery studio since February 2025, when she took a class with Schenk as the instructor. She said that was the beginning of her journey with pottery. 

"I loved what Gizmo stands for and the space they provide," she said. "It got me hooked." 

Helvey now teaches pottery at the Gizmo studio. She said she loves how pottery is a form of creative expression that produces functional art. 

"I love making art and I love having things I can actually use that don't just sit on a shelf collecting dust," she said. 

For the first time this year, VIP tickets are available for purchase for $30 in advance or $40 at the door. VIP ticketholders can browse and purchase bowls 30 minutes earlier than the general public, with entry at 12:30 p.m. Ticketholders can choose one bowl to take home and will receive a Gizmo gift bag. 

This year, the fundraiser will also feature pottery demos and a fast-paced "throwdown" between two potters at the wheel.

"It's a lot of fun for people to observe them and cheer them on and get eyes on the studio at work," Helvey said. 

Info and tickets: www.gizmo-cda.org 

    Melissa Helvey works on a piece of pottery in the studio at Gizmo-CDA on the North Idaho College campus. Photo courtesy of Melissa Helvey.