FLORENCE-The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is pleased to present Monarch: Retrospective, a look back on a decade of sponsorship of the Monarch Tile National Ceramic Competition. Beginning September 7 and continuing through October 23, 2025, fifteen ceramic works from the KDAC permanent collection will be on display to commemorate the exceptional artistry in clay that was brought to our community between 1990 and 1999 through Monarch Tile, Inc. Participation in this far-reaching competition grew from national to international status, attracting modern-day ceramists from all over the world and building this event into a major presence! Learn more about the influence of Monarch Tile, Inc, and KDAC’s commitment to contemporary ceramic art during your next visit to Florence Arts and Museums.
Monarch Tile, Inc., the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of ceramic wall tile, was the founder of this premier competition of ceramic art. Through this competition, Monarch Tile showcased and celebrated the achievements of artists and what they created using the most basic ingredients of mud and water. Originally headquartered in San Angelo, Texas, the first Monarch National Competition was held in 1986 at the San Angelo Museum of Fine arts where select pieces of the exhibition were shown. By 1990, the KDAC began to showcase these selections annually through traveling show opportunities. In 1989, Monarch Tile had moved their corporate headquarters to Florence, Alabama and, by 1995, the competition had also moved here.
Thomas White, Monarch’s President and Chief Executive Officer, had approached the KDAC about assuming responsibility for coordination of what had become a major annual event. This request was accepted and as Sandra J. Blain shared in her 1995 juror’s statement, “I applaud the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and their sponsorship of the Monarch Ceramic Competition. It is a major undertaking and demonstrates their interest in commitment to contemporary ceramic art.” The Monarch Tile National Ceramic Competition would continue to exhibit annually at the Arts Center until 1999.
Media Release/ Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts
