John P. Beckley is a native of Washington D.C.  He graduated from The School of Pharmacy at Howard University in 1956 and for the next 35 years practiced Pharmacy in the District of Columbia and Maryland.  He left the profession in November 1993.  At the insistence of a friend, John began to pursue his interest in the "arts and crafts".  He studied sculpture with Dr. Ralph Baney and Berthold Schumzhart at the Smithsonian.  He studied bronze casting with Jim Crane in New Mexico and with Richard Zandler at the Montpelier Art Center in Laurel, Maryland.  Henry "Hank" Elliott of  the National Museum of African Art and Doris Ligon ,curator of the Maryland Museum of African Art, both helped John refine his knowledge of African Art and Culture.  John is currently casts his "work" with equipment he invented, designed, constructed and patented.  John's work has been shown throughout the US and Canada.

The Melting Pot(TM) is the trademarked name for the furnace John invented and patented.   He shares his knowledge of casting thru workshop/demonstrations.  The Melting Pot is marketed through Melting Pot International:

Orders are now being accepted for The Melting Pot (TM)......


The Melting Pot (TM) is an electric resistance furnace that is used to melt metal

The Melting Pot (TM)  operates on normal house current...120volts/ 20 amps.

The Melting Pot(TM)  is the size of a 5 gallon paint bucket..12" in dia by 12" high

The Melting Pot(TM) will melt about 10 lbs of bronze in about an hour.

The Melting Pot(TM) uses a # 6 crucible

The Melting Pot (TM) costs less than $1500.....actual selling price $1300

The Melting Pot(TM) is patented and  trademarked.