What is clay?

Clay is a special kind of material made by the decomposition of rocks through the process of weathering and erosion.

Clay transformed… Into Ceramic! The word “ceramic” can be traced back to the Greek term keramos, meaning "a potter" or "pottery." Keramos is related to an older Sanskrit root meaning "to burn." The early Greeks used the word to mean "burned stuff" or "burned earth". Into Ceramic!

The kiln An empty kiln A kiln during firing This is a large, hot oven that is used to fire the clay. You need to fire your clay in a kiln in order for it to be permanent. An empty kiln A kiln during firing

Bisque ware Glaze ware Clay is usually fired in a kiln twice, Once at a lower temperature (the bisque firing) and after a piece is bisqued, it can be glazed, painted or left as is. If the clay is glazed, it then goes in the kiln for a second firing.

Ceramic has been around for centuries! Almost every civilization has ancient roots in ceramics. Japanese Raku, Native American Pueblo Pottery, Islamic Majolica tiles, and African drums and masks, just to name a few. These objects were used in everyday life and for special ceremonies. The traditions created by these cultures influence modern potters and sculptors.

Ceramic is everywhere around you! We also find clay in our modern world in the tiles, bricks, plates, even glass that build our schools and homes. Clay is also found in unexpected places like cell phones, computers and televisions.

Space Exploration Space Exploration: Ceramic tiles protect the astronauts and the shuttles aluminum frame from the extreme temperatures encountered upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

Keeping it green Keeping it Green: When used in filtration devices, ceramics help decrease pollution, capture toxic materials and encapsulate nuclear waste.