The Ceramic Art Student Association is planning to use its talents to give back to the community.

CASA students have been collaborating with Hillside Coffee to form a ceramics drive.

“We have worked all semester long making some really nice handcrafted ceramics that are functional, durable,” said Alejandro Perea, senior studio-art major and event organizer.

The proceeds of the drive will benefit the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry.

Food pantries in El Paso serve about 10,200 people weekly.

“It’s more of a crisis now than a cause,” Perea said. “By looking at the statistics, they’re really incredible and we knew we had to do something. There are many El Paso families who need other El Pasoans to participate in a very human need.”

This project is also an opportunity for the students to showcase their work and spread their names.

Perea said El Paso doesn’t really have a ceramics scene.

“We really want to change that and make people realize the quality of local artists and value of supporting local artists,” he said. “This will be a great opportunity for the community to be introduced to local artists.”

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Hillside Coffee, located at 4935 N. Mesa St.

“This is a chance for students and younger people to learn what it is to be a philanthropist and learn what it is to have an impact on the community using the skills that we’ve obtained here at UTEP,” Perea said.

Ruby Cerino may be reached at [email protected].