Congratulations to our awards recipients!
Hootie and the Blowfish members Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld and Dean Felber with Governor Nikky Haley
Congratulations to recipients of the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Awards for the Arts and the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards, who were recognized May 11 during South Carolina Arts Awards Day.
Family members, friends, and colleagues of award recipients joined the arts community and the general public for a day and an evening of celebration. Lt. Governor Henry McMaster and S.C. Arts Commission Chairman Henry Horowitz presented the awards during a State House ceremony. After official photographs with Governor Nikki Haley, recipients were honored at a luncheon sponsored by USC’s McKissick Museum. The evening began with additional accolades during a concert featuring bluegrass and gospel music (honoring Folk Heritage Award recipient Harold Clayton) and a poetry reading by Verner Award recipient Nikky Finney. The festivities were capped by an art sale and gala dance party presented by the South Carolina Arts Foundation.
Many thanks to everyone who participated!
Image above: Front row, left to right: Verner Award recipients Mayor Knox White, City of Greenville; Janice Jennings, Joye in Aiken; artist Mary Edna Fraser; Betty J. Plumb; Gov. Nikki Haley; Karen Brosius, Columbia Museum of Art; Dotsy Clayton, representing Folk Heritage Award recipient Harold Clayton (posthumous award); Susu Johnson, the Phifer-Johnson Foundation/The Johnson Collection.
Second row, left to right: Poet Nikky Finney; Dr. Sandra Field, Joye in Aiken; Claude Walker, Columbia Museum of Art; Folk Heritage Award recipient Bill Harris; Ed Zeigler, City of Greenville, George Johnson, the Phifer-Johnson Foundation/The Johnson Collection.