Elizabeth O'Neill Verner

Elizabeth O'Neill Verner (December 21, 1883 – April 17, 1979) was an American artist, author, lecturer, and preservationist who was one of the leaders of the Charleston Renaissance. she enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where she studied for two years with Thomas Anshutz. She worked at a studio within her residence at 38 Tradd Street. She also became a portraitist known for representing African-Americans, especially the city's flower vendors. serving as her teacher for a time. In 1946, Verner published “Other Places,” which made up 42 illustrations of places other than Charleston, accompanied by her own commentary.

She died on April 17, 1979. Her work is held by the Harvard Art Museums, the Delaware Art Museum, the Charleston Museum, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and others. The South Carolina Arts Commission awards the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor's Awards for the Arts in her honor.