Behind the Scenes: Verner Statue unpacking day

Today is a special day at the South Carolina Arts Commission, one that comes around every year about this time.

Verner Award statue unpacking day.

They were delivered earlier in the week, but this… this is a Friday kind of job. The boxes should come with a label that says, “Do Not Open ‘Til X-mas Friday.” So this morning, Arts Commission staff members (and devoted Verner Award statue caretakers) Kevin Flarisee and Victoria McCurry broke away from the ongoing Janae Claxton victory party long enough to carry out this task reserved only for a privileged few.

Fortunately for you, The Hub – relentless in its pursuit of the best possible Hub-erage of South Carolina Arts Awards Day – was there to chronicle everything. Let’s peek behind the curtain and see how it went.


Click on each image to enlarge.


The Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Awards for the Arts will be presented to their five recipients Wednesday, May 2 at a 10:30 a.m. State House ceremony. It is open to the public. You can also still get last-minute tickets to the S.C. Arts Awards Luncheon that follows the ceremony at the USC Alumni Center (900 Senate St., $50). The luncheon includes an art sale from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., three-course meal, special recognition of the award recipients, and a unique fundraiser featuring the table centerpieces – one of which you can purchase the opportunity to take home.

As you can see above, we have plenty of packing peanuts.