Upper School art students had another banner year with Empty Bowls, an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. Students and artists create bowls for sale to raise funds toward the effort. In addition to the Family Advancement Ministries donations in 2016, students have added two more events for 2017.

Though the Arts Council in Albany dealt with major damage before and after tornadoes, Kayanne Blackwell of MetroPower reports that the January 18, 2017  Empty Bowls event went off beautifully. The Arts Council and MetroPower coordinated with MDS student artists to raise funds for local causes.

On March 2, 2017 the Kimball House and 508 Studio will feature MDS student bowls at their Empty Bowls event. The Community Food Bank will be the recipient of the funds from this Empty Bowls, and many of the Art Club members at MDS donated their wares. Shannon Irvin is coordinating the fundraiser for Studio 508.