Natural Stone Institute Awards Program Call for Entries 

Words: Bradley Blystone

Words: Natural Stone Institute
Photos: Natural Stone Institute

Oberlin, OH, March 26, 2024—The entry period for the 2024 Natural Stone Institute Award Program is now open. The association is pleased to announce a call for entries for the Pinnacle Awards, Industry Recognition Awards, and scholarship program.

The Pinnacle Awards honor projects whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone for commercial and residential applications. Pinnacle Awards are given in the following categories: Commercial Interior, Commercial Exterior, Renovation/Restoration, Residential Interior/Exterior (Single and Multi-Family), Architectural Carving/Lettering/Sculpture, Public Landscapes/Parks/Memorials, and Kitchen/Bath. A Grande Pinnacle Award, sponsored by Marmomac, is presented to the jury’s choice for the best overall project. Pinnacle Award submissions are due June 20.

The Industry Recognition Awards celebrate individuals in the stone industry for exemplary contributions to the industry and association over several years. Available awards include the Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Women in Stone Pioneer Award, the Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award, the Thor Lundh Quarrier Award, and the David Fell Spirit of Service Award. Industry Recognition Award submission deadlines are due May 20. 

Two scholarships, the Natural Stone Scholarship and the Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship, provide hands-on educational opportunities for aspiring professionals interested in furthering their careers in the stone industry. Scholarship applications are due May 20. 

Award recipients will be celebrated at the annual Natural Stone Institute Awards Ceremony at StonExpo in Las Vegas in 2025. All awards are open to Natural Stone Institute members. For more information about each award, including nomination forms, submission requirements, sponsorship information, and details on past recipients, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/awards

About the Natural Stone InstituteThe Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.

Choosing the Best Masonry Brush for the Job
April 2026

In masonry work, whether you are laying brick or block, installing stone veneer, or repairing mortar joints, cleaning up is a big part of the job. It’s easy to focus on the major tools like brick trowels, mixers, and mortar boards, but brushes are just as

Westminster Abbey Roof Repairs Race To Protect The Masonry Below
April 2026

Westminster Abbey is undergoing long-awaited repairs to its roof, and experts involved in the work say they have discovered hidden secrets along the way. For the masonry industry, the story is less about what's up top and more about what sits beneath it.

Building Stonework That Lasts Beyond the Surface
April 2026

How Today’s Systems Strengthen Traditional Masonry In masonry, longevity has always been the true measure of craftsmanship. Any wall can look impressive the day it’s finished, but the real test comes years later, after the first freeze-thaw cycle, after t

Mastering The Art Of Masonry Repair: The Dos and Don’ts
April 2026

Whether we specialize in repairs and restoration work or new construction, repairs are something that we all must do, at least from time to time. With ever-increasing competition from faster and cheaper building systems, the onus is on us as masonry profe