DENMARK – An easel sign on the sidewalk at the corner of U.S. 78 and 321 proclaims “ART” in bold lettering, with the word “Frames” under it. The business, located in the old McCain Insurance building, is watercolorist Anna Barnwell-Williams’ new Art & Frames shop.

The Denmark native graduated from Denmark-Olar High School and attended Voorhees College and Denmark Technical College before embarking upon a secretarial associate degree at the University of South Carolina.

All the while, Barnwell-Williams was painting, and her father was framing her paintings for her. The artist’s parents were the late Elwell and Ruby Williamson of Denmark. After they passed away, Barnwell-Williams continued to frame her creations and distributed them to shops in Orangeburg, where she was living at the time.

During this time, Barnwell-Williams worked in Columbia as an insurance adjuster for the Department of Education. However, when her job was lost to downsizing, she expanded her love of painting.

Barnwell-Williams’ husband, Greg Williams, helps her with the framing.

With the location of the new shop in Denmark, Barnwell-Williams becomes part of an established art area in the city. Just across the street is the well-known Jim Harrison Gallery, where early Americana art is preserved by the Coca Cola-licensed artist. The building is the same one in which Harrison began his painting career while painting advertising and other signs. Some of these billboards are now reproduced throughout Denmark.

T&D Correspondent Bettylou Terry can be reached by e-mail at blterry@edistoelectric.net or by phone at 803-793-3381. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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