June Issue 2002
Verner Inventory Comes to the Gibbes Museum of Art Shop
The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC,
announces that it is now the exclusive agent for the sale of the
reproductions of Elizabeth O'Neill Verner's works. The Tradd Street
Press inventory of Verner's reproductions were being offered for
sale at the Gibbes Museum Shop as of May 16, 2002.
"The Verner Gallery and the Tradd Street Press have been
a vital part of Charleston's cultural history for more than half
a century," said David Q. Soutter, Interim Director at the
Gibbes. "We feel very fortunate to have Mrs. Verner's reproductions
come exclusively to the Gibbes, where she played an active role
throughout her life."
"For the last 32 years, I have been the keeper of my grandmother's
flame," said David Verner Hamilton, "and I am passing
an important part of her legacy to the Gibbes Museum."
The Verner studio, which later became the Verner Gallery, was
a mainstay of Charleston's art world for nearly 64 years until
closing in April. Elizabeth O'Neill Verner opened her studio at
38 Tradd Street in May 1938. In the early 1960s, her daughter,
Elizabeth Verner Hamilton, established the Tradd Street Press
to run the gallery and to publish books and reproductions of Verner's
works. The Tradd Street Press also supported the literary efforts
of Hamilton and other writers.
A Charleston native, Elizabeth O'Neill Verner (1883-1979) studied
under Thomas Anshutz at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
She was a founding vice-president of the Southern States Art League
and a founding member of the Charleston Etchers' Club. Verner
was a pivotal figure in the revival of the Charleston art community
during the 1920s and '30s, known as the Charleston Renaissance.
Her exact etchings of Charleston street scenes and her delicate
pastels helped to publicize the beauty of Charleston, and, along
with her fellow artists, helped spark the preservation movement
in Charleston. She published numerous volumes on Charleston and
traveled extensively. An important collection of etchings that
were used to illustrate Verner's book, Prints and Impressions
of Charleston, was given to the City of Charleston in 1956
and by act of City Council are permanently on loan to the Gibbes
Museum.
In 1972, the South Carolina Arts Foundation established the Elizabeth
O'Neill Verner Awards to recognize outstanding achievement and
contributions to the arts in South Carolina. The highest honor
the state gives in the arts, these awards presented annually by
the governor encourage South Carolina arts organizations, patrons,
artists, the business community, and government to maximize their
roles as innovators, supporters and advocates of the arts.
For further information call the Gibbes at 843/722-2706 or at
(www.gibbes.com).
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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