(November 21, 2011 -- Chandler, Ariz.) -- James Woelfel, vice president of Artcraft Granite, Marble & Tile Co., of Mesa, Ariz., was recently named the National Tile Contractors Association  (NTCA) “Tile Person of the Year” for 2011. 

The prestigious award -- bestowed annually since 1958 -- honors a tile professional who is dedicated to supporting the mission of the NTCA.  Woelfel’s work in conceiving and developing a new set of industry standards for the installation of stone tile, which is now part of the Tile Council of North America’s (TCNA) handbook, was a significant development in the tile industry. That, along with his tireless advocacy for strengthening industry standards and methods as Chairman of the NTCA Technical Committee, earned the Mesa businessman the international association’s esteemed honor.

“James is one of the most knowledgeable tile contractors in the United States,” said NTCA President Nyle Wadford. “Having judged some of his company’s award winning tile installations, I can safely say that Arizona has an expert resource in James – he is highly deserving of this honor.”

In addition to running the daily operations and estimating at Artcraft, Woelfel is a forensic tile consultant for JG Woelfel & Associates and is sought to provide installation inspections, pre-construction specifications, job oversight, forensic investigations and expert testimony.

Woelfel serves as 2^nd vice president of the NTCA, Chairman of the influential NTCA Technical Committee, and until recently, was the Chairman of the NTCA Standards and Methods Committee.  Additionally, Woelfel represents the NTCA on the TCNA Handbook Committee, and serves on the ANSI ASC 108 Committee, making Artcraft Granite Marble & Tile Co., one of two contractors worldwide to sit on all three committees. 

Woelfel, whose father Butch was the 1993 recipient, becomes the first son of a former Tile Person of the Year winner, to receive this laudable recognition.   

Woelfel was recognized with this prestigious honor in front of family, friends and peers at the Total Solutions Plus conference on November 10^th, at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, in Chandler, Arizona.  NTCA President, Nyle Wadford, of Neuse Tile Service in Youngsville, N.C., presented Woelfel with the honor.

October 30, 2011 -  Artcraft GMT was proud to be part of Bathroom Blogfest 2011 as the first video blog in the history of the six year event.  Our goal was to share video conversations with professionals who work with tile in a variety of roles - each intended to bring the consumer some insight into what's happening in the tile industry right now.  We hope you enjoy them - let us know what you think.

The Tiled Toilet Room - Public Spaces for Youth

At the Arizona School for the Arts, creative expression is embraced by everyone who walks through the doors; including the bathroom doors! Interior Designer Anne Elizabeth Hamilton of Orcutt-Winslow explains that public toilet spaces for young people can be full of bold colors, variations in texture and pattern... and fun!

Artcraft Granite, Marble and Tile Company, the tile installation contractor for the projects shown in this video, shares this conversation as part of Bathroom Blogfest 2011.

Watch and comment from our Youtube Channel - or just watch the video below.

http://youtu.be/k-OSPem9MY0

Tile Transformations

Ceramic, stone and glass tile has the power to transform any space. Just ask homeowner Bob Conover of Phoenix, Arizona. Working with Interior Designer Annette Denham, Bob remodeled two bathrooms and his kitchen and now enjoys contemporary surroundings in a decades old home.

Watch and comment from our Youtube Channel - or just watch the video below.

http://youtu.be/l3_VnDlPG2g

The Beauty of Tile

We spoke with Lanette Miller, Design Consultant with Facings of America about the beauty of tile, especially in bathrooms. The newest trends in tile call for a cleaner, linear, large look - quality installation is always in style especially when a beautiful, lasting project is the goal.

Watch and comment from our Youtube Channel - or just watch the video below.

For more information about the blogfest, visit http://www.BathroomBlogfest.com. You can follow Bathroom Blogfest on Twitter @BathroomBlogfes, look for the tag “#BathroomEXP” on Twitter or ‘Like’ on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BatrhoomBlogfest.  Or, contact Whittemore at cbwhittemore@SimpleMarketingNow.com.