John Eric Byers received his formal training at the renowned Wendell Castle Studio and is now considered a leader of a new generation of studio wood artists.  His geometrically shaped pieces are distinguished by their unique, dense, repetitive surface patterns and pain-staking attention to detail.  His studied forms are perfect canvases for surfaces that speak of the beauty of irregularity and imperfection.  The surfaces are the result of his masterful use and combination in incised carving techniques and the layering of milk paint, a paint formula that dates back to ancient Egypt.  John has been skillfully practicing his surfacing techniques for over fifteen years.  His work has been exhibited in nearly twenty solo shows and countless group shows.

Education
1984-86 Wendel Castle School, Scottsville, NY
1993

University of New York, Oswego, NY

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2004    Gallery NAGA, Boston, MA
            Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA        
            John Elder Gallery, New York, NY
2003    Snyderman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2001    John Elder Gallery, New York, NY
            Tercera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA
2000    Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA
            Snyderman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA                       
1999    Tercera Gallery, SOFA, Chicago
            John Elder Gallery, New York, NY

Awards
2005 New York Foundation of the Arts Award
1997 Oregon Arts Commission Visual Arts Grant
1993 Mid Atlantic/NEA Regional Visual Art Fellowship Grant
1990 Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant Award

Public Collections
Museum of Art & Design, New York, NY
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
The Mint Museum of Craft & Design, Charlotte, NC
The Fuller Museum of Art, Brockton, MA