The Tile Heritage Award acknowledges individuals who embody the Tile Heritage Foundation’s mission in an exemplary way: promoting an awareness and appreciation of ceramic surfaces in the U.S.
The board of directors initiated the award in 1993. They also decided the award itself should be a tile designed by a tile maker chosen by the board. Its aesthetic would relate significantly to the award recipient.
Tile Heritage Award Recipients and Tile Artisans
Kenneth Trapp (’93); tile artisan Dale Wiley
Donato Grosser (’94); tile artisan Karen Kobiltz
Frank Giorgini (’95); tile artisans Lynda Curtis and Libby Donahoe
Carolyna Marks (’96); tile artisan Pat Custer Denison
Susan Tunick (’97); tile artisans Anne Currier and Gretchen Krouse
Norman Karlson (’98); tile artisan David Ellison
Barbara White Morse (’99); tile artisan Linda Ellett
Jane Larson (’01); tile artisan Kenyon Lewis
Eric Astrachan (’06); tile artisan Don Schreckengost
Robert Winter (’09); tile artisans Marie and Delia Tapp and Steve Moon
Joe Koons (’10); tile artisan Frank Giorgini
Vance Koehler (’13); tile artisan Joan Gardiner
Kirby Brown ('15); tile artist David Wilson
Cleota Reed ('17); tile artist Mandy Baker
Ella Schaap (’20); tile artisan Irene de Watteville
THF presented the first Tile Heritage Award in 1993 to Kenneth Trapp (then curator of decorative arts at the Oakland Museum) for his work in promoting ceramic surfaces. Dale Wiley designed the 8-inch by 8-inch ceramic tile made of dark terra cotta clay. At that time, Wiley served on the THF board of directors and is now THF membership secretary.