Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Fraser.
Hi Carolyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After completing a degree in Art History from the College of Charleston, I helped my brother West Fraser establish a gallery in Downtown Charleston. We opened Fraser & Co. in 1995, and I worked for the gallery for two years. For many reasons, I decided to change direction and head to culinary school at Johnson & Wales, when it was still in Charleston. This set me on a course I would follow for over twenty years, from interning for the Amelia Island Co. in Amelia Island, Fla., to owning my own restaurant and catering business and back to Charleston, where I ended my full-time culinary career as a baker for Metto Coffee in Mt. Pleasant. At that point, I returned to the art business to work for my brother and his wife at Helena Fox Fine Art. I became the Gallery Director in 2018 and have enjoyed working with our twenty-plus artists and the fabulous clients of the gallery. During the time I have been at HFFA, I have seen a shift in the type of businesses located on Broad Street. Early last year, I decided that our area needed a group that helped us to share the creative businesses outside of just the Charleston Gallery Association. This leads me to form The Exchange District. It encompasses many shops, galleries, and creative studios between Meeting Street and East Bay St. on Broad St and just off it. We held our second Valentine’s Bingo Stroll and look forward to our next Walk and Talk Charleston stroll in March. Our next district event will be in September.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving away from South Carolina and my family was difficult initially. As I found my new family of friends and co-workers, I realized it was exactly what I needed. I opened my restaurant in 2002 and did what I could to make it a success. I was well on my way when we entered the Great Recession. Since many of Amelia Island’s residents were retired and on fixed incomes, my business suffered greatly, and I closed in 2008. From there, I returned to work for the Amelia Island Co., which Omni bought out. At that time, I was ready to head back to South Carolina and finally returned to Charleston in 2014. Through a few twists and turns, I finally am where I should be. I love working with my sister-in-law Helena Fox, and helping people to find beautiful art for their homes (cut and lives) is an amazing opportunity!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although I am no longer a full-time chef, I still genuinely enjoy being in the kitchen. Until last year I made lavender marshmallows weekly for Park Cafe, and although my full-time career had made this difficult to keep up with, I miss having the weekly contact with the restaurant. I continue to make marshmallows and caramels during the holidays and often bake cakes for friends. When I have time, I like making goody boxes. These are posted on my Instagram account @frombeckyskitchensc. The name was inspired by my mother, Becky, who taught me all about entertaining, being a gracious host, and the joy of making food for the ones we love. I have always had equal love for the arts and the kitchen. These two passions share many qualities, not the least of which is creativity.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Determination and a good sense of humor.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexchangedistrictcharleston/ https://www.instagram.com/frombeckyskitchensc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frombeckyskitchen.us
Image Credits
Photographs of Carolyn are by Sloan Photography , Sloan Bragg, sloan-photography.com other photos were taken by Carolyn Fraser
