Knoche touched clay for the first time ten years ago and has had dirty hands ever since. Originally from Minnesota, Eric studied anthropology in India, poetry in California, taught ceramics at a college in Thailand, and drove a muffin truck in New York City before apprenticing to ceramist Jeff Shapiro. He later completed a short term apprenticeship to Japanese Living National Treasure, Isezaki Jun. In addition to playing with mud, he enjoys hiking, reading and checking the cloud formations for the face of Elvis.
Knoche received his BA degree from the University of Minnesota. He exhibits and teaches internationally, and has work in the collections at the Asheville Art Museum, Laguna Clay Company, Los Angeles, and the Mint Musem, Charlotte. Eric currently works from his studio in Western North Carolina