As a new co-sponsor of Coverings, MIA also will assist in the administration of the Prism 2004 Stone in Architecture awards, Coverings' annual competition that honors originality and creative excellence in the use of natural stone products in residential and commercial projects. The $10,000 grand prize will be awarded at the opening General Session at Coverings 2004.

The 2004 PRISM Stone in Architecture Awards competition is open to architects and other design professionals whose projects demonstrate creativity and achievement in the use of natural stone, with particular interest in original or unusual uses. The deadline for entries is 5:00 p.m. EST on January 30, 2004, and the projects must have been completed within the last three years (January 2000 to December 2003) to be considered. Entries must include a binder with an official entry form, a typed project description, high-quality photographs of the entry, an entry fee of $100 and an identification of the submission. Entry forms and materials can be found at www.coverings.com/prism2004

The Marble Institute of America (MIA), the stone industry's leading professional association, and Architectural Record magazine are coordinating the 2004 Prism Stone in Architecture Awards competition. An independent panel of judges assembled by Architectural Record and MIA will evaluate the entries based on creativity in design and excellence in implementation.

“Natural stone has a legacy of being one of the most beautiful and trustworthy building materials in the world,” says Tamara Christian, Coverings' show director and president of National Trade Productions, the organizer of the show. Adds Garis F. Distelhorst, executive vice president of the Marble Institute of America, co-sponsor of the award, “The Prism Awards recognize the most novel and stunning applications of natural stone in commercial and residential projects by contemporary architects and designers.”

Sponsoring organizations of Coverings are ASCER (Spain's Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association), Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractories Manufacturers), CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association), NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association) and TCA (Tile Council of America). The co-sponsors of Coverings include: the Marble Institute of America, American Institute of Architects (Orlando Chapter), the Associazione Italiana Marmomacchine, The American Society of Interior Designers (North Florida Chapter and Florida South Chapter), the Construction Specifications Institute (Greater Orlando Chapter), International Interior Design Association (Florida Chapter), the Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada, the Tile Contractors' Association of America, and the Tile Heritage Foundation.