A native of South Jersey and graduate from Union University, Eric Botbyl has been dedicated to making sculptural and functional pottery for the past decade. His career began with the construction of his 800sq ft clay studio on the grounds of Morris Nursery, a well established horticultural center and gift shop in Jackson, TN.

Since then his work in ceramics has earned him both local and national recognition. Eric's pottery and ceramic sculpture have been featured in several major newspapers, Mid South Living, and Ceramics Monthly Magazine which is considered 'the world's most widely read publication in the field of ceramic arts'.

He has opened his studio for community clay workshops, and was recently invited to design and build a massive wood burning kiln in conjunction with prof. Aaron Lee Benson and the advanced ceramic students at Union University. Eric has many awards and exhibitions credited to his name, yet he considers maintaining a full time pottery studio his most notable accomplishment.

While Eric's pottery would be at home on any pedestal, he intends for it to be used in daily life.

"Aside from marriage and religious events, dinnertime is perhaps the last remaining American ceremony. It is a time when family and friends gather to share in the events of their daily lives. A table full of handmade pottery is a beautiful way to set the stage, and it communicates to your family and guests, 'This gathering is special, it means something'.

There is a softness and warmth about handmade pots which carries with it every touch of the potter and mark of the flame. No other medium can record the history of its own making like clay can, and the preservation of this process is a vital element of my work."