Eric Ordway was raised in central Missouri amongst corn and soybean fields. Often taking trips every summer to the family farm in northern Iowa. Eric was first exposed to pottery at a rural community college. After a hiatus, he went on to graduate with his BFA in 2013 from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Eric then continued studying clay a post-bac student at the University of Missouri (MU) where he researched sgraffito techniques in high atmospheric kilns. In 2015, Eric was awarded a residency at the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, FL. While there Eric taught high school ceramics at Berkeley Preparatory School where he discovered his passion for teaching. In 2019, Eric went on to graduate with his MFA from MU. From 2019-2022, Eric taught clay at Truman State University. Eric was recently selected as a 2023 Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist and is exhibiting at the 2024 International Ceramics Competition in Switzerland.

Eric currently works at MU’s School of Visual Studies as the fine arts technician. He lives with his wife, Chelsea, and their dog, Lily in Columbia, MO