Soup R Bowl Sunday was a success

TOMÉ — Community members were having a ball fueling up for the big game while supporting scholarships for local art students as part of Tomé Art Gallery’s annual Soup R Bowl fundraiser. 

This year’s Soup R Bowl, held at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus, marked the 15th annual event and also the first in-person one since the pandemic.  

“It’s so great to have it back again,” said Jan Pacifico, a founding member of the Tomé Art Gallery. “Prep was so much easier this time too because we got so many volunteers this year to help.”  

Volunteers, made up primarily of gallery members and UNM-VC faculty, donated their time to cook up a variety of scrumptious soups for guests including Rockin’ Moroccan, Greek Lemon Chicken, Tex-Mex and more.  

“They’re so good and all have a unique flavor and are very individual, so it was a good combination,” said John Mohr, attending the event for the first time. “It’s a good way to spend a sunday.”  

A $20 dollar ticket also included access to a variety of breads and desserts as well as a carefully-crafted handmade bowl of your choosing from the Tomé Art Gallery. 

“I haven’t made anything else but bowls now for a couple months,” said Pacifico with a chuckle. “When I’m at my best I can make 40 to 50 a day.” 

The bowls were all made by gallery members, so each one is unique and reflects the style of the sculptor which can take many forms and colors.  

Chris Lunsford, a long-time Tomé Art Gallery member, has been making pottery for over 28 years and says his favorite part about the craft is not exactly knowing what the finished product will be like.  

“Half the time I’m not even sure what I’m going to make,” he said. “So I enjoy seeing what it all comes out to be when it’s done. Plus, it keeps me busy.”  

This year, Pacifico said they raised roughly $5,000 dollars to put toward scholarships and the federal government also contributes a dollar-to-dollar match.  

“We’ve raised over $60,000 over the years, so with the match that amounts to $120,000 into the UNM endowment fund which will be given in perpetuity,” said Pacifico. “It’s such a legacy for the gallery; it really is wonderful.” 

Pacifico said they award five $1,000 scholarships annually through the fundraiser and this fall they will be adding a sixth scholarship in honor of Tom Walpole, a student Pacifico taught.  

Pacifico is an adjunct professor of ceramics at UNM-VC, so she says she has seen firsthand how much it means to art students who receive the scholarship.  

The Soup R Bowl also gives the community a chance to catch up with people they may not have seen in awhile and the opportunity to make new connections too.  

“It’s a nice event that gives everybody in the area a good place to get to know others,” said Veronica Muela, who’s attended the event regularly. “It’s good food and a good way of being a part of the community.”