Eric Howe’s journey with clay began in prep school in Pennsylvania, where a ceramics class first introduced him to the rhythm of the wheel and the satisfaction of shaping something by hand. Even as he pursued a degree in accounting in college, the pull of the studio never faded — he continued taking ceramics courses and eventually became a teaching assistant in the ceramics department, spending as much time helping others learn as he did developing his own skills.

After moving to Atlanta in 2011, Eric found his way back to clay through classes at a local art center. What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into something more, rekindling the passion he’d carried since his school days. Soon, weekends were spent loading kilns and traveling to art festivals throughout the Southeast under the name Black Dog Pottery, while his work also found homes in local galleries.

Today, Eric’s work continues to blend craftsmanship, function, and creativity, and that same love of clay now extends beyond his own studio practice through The Smith.