The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is set to present an exhibition titled “Monarch: Retrospective,” which will run from September 7 until October 23, 2025. This showcase will feature a selection of fifteen ceramic pieces drawn from the KDAC’s permanent collection. The exhibition serves as a tribute to a decade of the Monarch Tile National Ceramic Competition, which took place from 1990 to 1999. Over the years, this competition evolved from a national event into an international platform, celebrating the remarkable talents of contemporary ceramic artists.
The competition was initiated by Monarch Tile, Inc., a prominent manufacturer of ceramic wall tiles, with the aim of honoring the artistry involved in working with clay. KDAC began to display a curated selection of works from the competition annually starting in 1990. By 1995, the event had relocated to Florence, Alabama, with the Kennedy-Douglass Center taking on the responsibility of organizing it. This competition not only propelled the careers of many innovative artists, ranging from sculptors to those creating intricate functional items, but it also significantly enriched the KDAC’s permanent collection.
Visitors to the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts can enjoy free tours, which are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The center is conveniently located at 217 E. Tuscaloosa St. in Florence, Alabama. For further details regarding upcoming exhibitions and workshops, interested individuals can visit the website at www.florencealmuseums.com/calendar or contact the center directly at (256) 760-6379.