Artist Demonstration with Eck McCanless

Join us for an artist demonstration with Eck McCanless. 

About the Artist:

Eck McCanless is renowned for his mastery of Agateware pottery, a unique technique that blends multiple colors of clay on the wheel to create striking spiraled patterns. Once the piece reaches a leather-hard state, Eck carves into the surface to unveil intricate designs hidden within the clay walls. This process, mesmerizing in its execution, is best appreciated in person, and Eck—ever the performer—delights in sharing live demonstrations at his pottery shop.

Born into a pottery legacy, Eck’s mother, Milly McCanless, opened Dover Pottery in 1983, where he began honing his craft at an early age. After two decades of contributing to Dover's celebrated crystalline glazes and hand-painted majolica designs, Eck opened his own shop in 2011, dedicating his practice to Agateware. His signature work now features a palette of earthy browns, whites, and vibrant blues, alongside limited-edition anniversary pieces released each July.

Eck's work has been featured in publications such as Our State, Southern Living, and Pinehurst, and he is profiled in Remarkable Potters of Seagrove by Charlotte Vestal Brown and Introducing Pottery: The Complete Guide by Dan Rhodes. His family’s story was documented in The Fourteenth Shop, an award-winning film by Jim Sharkey. A dedicated educator, Eck has led workshops nationwide, sharing his expertise in turning and Agateware techniques.