CHARLESTON, SC.- In early 2009 renowned Southern painter West Fraser initiated a project of personal giving and called it Painting in a Tree. The artist places a Painting in a Tree, an oil on panel, in public places to be found by a passer by. The paintings that hang by string, have strings attached. Fraser writes a personal note on the back of each painting appealing to the finder to give back to their community. Fraser’s motivation is to encourage giving back to one’s community. In late December, 12 year old Charleston native, Kenner Carmody found a painting in Charleston ’s French Quarter. There are still paintings to be found in Charleston, Cumberland Island and Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Village (Bluffton, SC).

Kenner Carmody was on a mission to find the painting after her father read about West Fraser’s Painting in a Tree project in the local newspaper. After scouring the French Quarter she made the discovery of the West Fraser oil painting hanging in a tree on the corner of State and Chalmers Streets. Delighted with her find Ms. Carmody now has her first piece of fine art. In January 2010, Ms Carmody and her family decided to make a charitable donation to the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston. They hope that that their donation can be enjoyed as much as they will enjoy their newly found Painting in a Tree. The Carmody’s directed their donation to the Daniel West Fraser Memorial Scholarship Fund. Established by West Fraser to honor his son Daniel who was born in 1983 and passed away in 1986, the Daniel West Fraser Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for children and teens to study at the Gibbes Museum of Art through art classes and art camp.

According to Fraser, “I hope that with my gift found, the discoverer will give as well, and perhaps encourage others to make random acts of giving and kindness. As a catalyst to perpetuate gift giving in the community, I hope that my Painting in a Tree project can make a difference.”