The next great artist may well be Tampa-based Chase Parker, whose works have been personally selected by entrepreneur Richard C. Kessler of The Kessler Collection for exhibition at Grand Bohemian Galleries, including the gallery at Casa Monica Resort & Spa in St. Augustine. Kessler recently issued an open call to emerging artists nationwide, a search for The Next Original. More than 1,800 artists responded, submitting 5,000 pieces for consideration. Parker is one of nine finalists selected to display his work. Throughout the year, the finalists will have their art featured in Times Square, as well as at the galleries. Parker employs a variety of materials — both traditional and highly unconventional — to create his unique mixed-media works. Viewing Parker’s art, one encounters illustrations exploding from books, sculpted torsos comprised of butterflies and interactive illusions that can only truly be appreciated in person. There’s often a union of the two-dimensional with the three-dimensional. His works are attention-grabbers.

Read the full article by Shaun Ryan (The Recorder)