Pottery and Ceramics Explained

So what is exactly pottery and ceramics?

Ever wonder if there is a difference?

Check out this short video to see some of the great pottery styles available at Mountain Made gallery.

Pottery expert Beth Peterson, wrote,

“Pottery and ceramics have been an important part of human culture for thousands of years. From prehistoric storage jars to tiles on the space shuttles, pottery and ceramics have played a key role in innumerable human endeavors…

Technically, ceramics are those things made from materials which are permanently changed when heated. For example, clay has chemically-bonded water in it which will cause it to slake down or (disintegrate) when a dried clay object is put in water. Once heated (fired) to between 660⁰ and 1470⁰F (350⁰ and 800⁰C), the clay is converted to ceramic and will never dissolve again.

All clay is considered to be a ceramic material… but Pottery is generally considered to be containers (or forms) made from clay.

“Pot” is a term used for any number of container forms. Both words derive from the Old English potian, “to push”. When we consider how the potter pushes as they throw the clay around on the wheel, it is easy to see how the process got its name. The term “pottery” may also be used as an adjective with some objects, such as small figurines.

To see more work by our local potters and ceramic artists, we invite you to come by our gallery anytime. For directions > Store Map