Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/216837
GO+DO CATALYST "IF I TOOK A DOLLAR FROM EACH [BOWL], IN THE END I COULD GIVE SOMEONE A THOUSAND BUCKS." —SARA GORDON, ARTIST AND FOUNDER, CREATING FOR CAUSES SARA GORDON SITS IN HER SHOP on works of art—jewelry, pots, bowls— alongside spinning wheels ready for fresh clay and tables of scattered beads. In the corner of the room is a pile of bowls she'll Dec. 7 | 1-7 p.m. Dec. 8 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Help end hunger by purchasing works from more than 30 local artists at Creating for Causes MOM Holiday Art Fair to benefit Middleton Outreach Ministry. 3502 Parmenter St., Middleton. momhelps.org. SARA GORDON CREATING ART THAT GIVES BACK Habitat for Humanity—just one of many organizations she supports through her artistry. "I don't think any potter makes a huge amount of money," says Gordon. "By the time we pay the rent, there's not a whole lot of it left. What else could we do with it?" Gordon's been beading for 25 years but fell in love with pottery after taking one class at Fine Earth Studio & Gallery in Madison. About a year and half later in 2009, she bought the studio. For Gordon, it's been more about the community than business. "We love having people come in and share the space," she says. "Everyone that comes here leaves feeling better." While doing what she loves, she is con- BY BRITNI MCDONALD, thousand bucks … a big chunk of money." Gordon has taken that philosophy to from gallery nights to support organizations like a local professional theater company or a cause chosen by the kids she has in the studio for summer sessions. One summer they chose to help the red pandas at the zoo. Her biggest event of the year is "Creating for Causes" where she brings local artists together to donate their artwork organizations including Gilda's Club, the Humane Society or, her favorite cause, Doctors Without Borders. In the last three years Gordon's "Creating for Causes" has raised nearly $12,000 tributing artists decide which organizaistry Food Pantry, an organization the artists like for its "'Come and take what you need'" philosophy, says Gordon. "It seems very generous without the same of giving—now her studio's "culture"— began with a challenge for herself: "You should make a thousand bowls. I started know what you need." But it doesn't end there for Gordon. she recalls. "If I took a dollar from each one, in the end I could give someone a NBC 15 NEWS ANCHOR continue shaping ideas for giving back to the community she loves. YWCA Housing Programs Year-round needs for the family shelter and service programs include disposable diapers, feminine products, nonperishable food items, cookware, bus tickets and booster seats. ywcamadison.org. 72 BRAVA MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013 Coat & Blanket Collection Drive Donate new or gently used coats and blankets to participating Greenway Station stores and restaurants in exchange for entry into a $100 Greenway Station gift card drawing. greenwayshopping.com. Text-to-Give Too busy to drop off donations? Simply text "TOGETHER" to 501501 and $5 will be donated to Second Harvest food bank through NBC 15's Share Your Holidays food and fund drive. secondharvestmadison.org. PHOTO BY BOBBI PETERSEN NONPROFIT NEEDS: WAYS TO GIVE BACK