Eric Ordway (b. 1984) was born and raised in the middle of corn and soybean fields near Columbia, MO. He was first exposed to pottery while attending Moberly Area Community College in 2006. Eric continued to study clay at Colorado State University-Pueblo. After graduating in 2013 with a BFA, Eric completed a post-baccalaureate from the University of Missouri (MU) while researching green glazing, sgraffito, and soda firing techniques.

In 2015, Eric was awarded a residency at the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, FL. During his time in Florida, Eric also taught ceramics to students at Berkeley Preparatory School, where he discovered his passion for teaching. Eric then returned to MU to earn his MFA in 2019, where he researched thrown and altered techniques, making functional and sculptural vessels fired in high-atmospheric wood/soda kilns. He continues this body of work in his studio practice.

After graduating, Eric taught ceramics at Truman State University for three years. During this time he also worked at Access Arts, a local nonprofit art organization in Columbia, MO, as the Department Head of Ceramics. Some of his professional accomplishments include being selected as a 2023 Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist, as well as having his work selected in the 2023 & 2024 NCECA Annual Exhibitions. Eric has also been a Technical Assistant at Penland School of Craft and Haystack Mountain School of Craft.

 Eric exhibits his work at the national and international levels. He works as the Fine Arts Technician for the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO where he lives with his wife, Chelsea, and their dog, Lily.