original painting by C.Hutson Wrenn ’11
“The pride which the cassique of Kiawah took in his harbor and his country was responsible for the settling there of the first English colony in South Carolina. The same pardonable pride is still characteristic of the inhabitants….”
– Alexander S. Salley, published 1911, Narratives of Early Carolina 1650-1708
The people of Charleston, in 1920, so revered the city that they channeled their fierce pride into the founding of the Preservation Society of Charleston, the oldest community based historic preservation organization in America. Originally called the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings, it was founded by Miss Susan Pringle Frost and a small group of individuals who were concerned about the future of the circa 1802 Joseph Manigault House, which was eventually restored. Frost was an active suffragette and thought to be the first woman realtor in Charleston.
2009@C.Hutson Wrenn
So, we who live here now, like America, a blended nation, are this mixture and more, of course, a creole of cultures, adding to the original Native Americans, the Amerindians, the Africans who were brought from Angola and the Gola tribe of Liberia as slaves, and the early English and Huguenot settlers. It is a blend of people who love this land, who continue to be loyal and proud of the place. Particularly on the island of Edisto where I live whose obvious dedication and determination to stay in the realms of the natural and undeveloped seems to speak to the present. A place that feels this sacred seems to be more and more important, and rare. And, uniquely, we share the palpable energy of loving what is one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth.
Not only is the land brimming with life right now; spring and her symbols of hope are sprouting everywhere as the sting of winter fades. On this Easter weekend, people of all cultures gather at the sunrise on Edisto Island to watch the sun rise over the ocean. Black and white and brown people stand together. Our gathered, many colored clergy officiate on a tall parade float, under angels of white seagulls flying overhead.
Quietly standing together, we affirm this sunrise of new beginnings and our commonality in a place that many of us believe, is like no where else on earth.
I was called to be an artist. And as an old old midwife said to me "If the Lord wants you to do something, you won't have no good luck' til you do." So, here I am, sharing what I love, longing to illuminate the work of art, which is everywhere.
Charleston Through an Artist's eye 
Dear Charlotte,
there is something about that photograph of the church ruins, its composition, that’s just fascinating.
I found that quote from Joseph Campbell that summarizes it so well. Here it is: “The work of the artist is to present objects to you in such a way that they will shine. Through the rhythm of the artist’s formation, the object that you have looked at with indifference will be radiant, and you will be fixed in esthetic arrest.”
That might explain why I am not an artist like you (just an appreciative consumer) – I probably wouldn’t have stopped to take a picture :-)
Have a great weekend,
KK
Dear Kirsten,
I just love that quote; wow thank you so much. Years ago I studied with Sam Abell, a National Geographic photographer, in Santa Fe. He spoke to us about the power of an image that looks through things. I am sure that resonated with me, for this image that I took on land walked by my ancestors for many hundreds of years does indeed look through, look back, look forward. Your looking at it made me see it anew, too, Kirsten. What a joy you are, my friend.
Charlotte