In August, we invited the local art community to submit their original work for a chance to be featured on the cover of our November Art, Philanthropy, Events and Top Dentists edition. This year, we received more than 50 submissions, ranging from graphic art and paintings to photography and sculpture.
This year’s winner was Chase Parker for his acrylic butterfly sculpture, “And Then She Let Go.”
“This cornflower blue acrylic butterfly sculpture was born out of some of the hardest times my daughter and I faced together,” Parker says. “It’s made up of hundreds of individually painted and shaped butterflies that come together to form a human figure. For me, it represents that moment when fear and loss finally gave way to understanding and growth.”
The piece became even more meaningful because Parker’s daughter, Layla, helped him create it. She spent hours cutting and painting each butterfly, shaping not only the sculpture but also the direction of his work. “That shared process strengthened our bond and turned a painful chapter into something beautiful,” Parker notes. “Looking back, this sculpture feels like the starting point of everything that has come since—it’s a reminder of resilience, love, and how much we can build when we face challenges together.”
Runners-Up
”Women of Words 2” by Rebekah Lane. Rebekah Lane, founder of Rlane Studios, began her career as a textile designer in New York City and brings over two decades of creative experience to her work. Part of her WoW Collection (Women of Words), this fine art paper series celebrates the modern woman.
”HumbleBee” by Tricia Sham. Tampa-based artist Tricia Sham creates abstract figurative and surrealist works that explore connections between insect behavior and human emotion. This piece incorporates acrylic, LEGO, metal and rubber on a cradled wood panel.
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