At Prairie Works Design Inc., Ann and Chip’s unique and innovative ideas set them apart in the world of art and architecture.
Alan Parker II. AIA (Chip)
Alan Parker II, also known as Chip, is an accomplished architect and artist. Born in Maryland and raised in various parts of the United States, Chip completed his architectural education at the University of Southern California. He worked for IBM’s Real Estate and Construction Division, managing architectural projects including the IBM Almaden Research Lab and the IBM Solana Marketing Center.
In 1988, Chip moved to Kansas with his family to set up a private practice. He co-founded Prairie Works Design Studios with his wife, Ann Zerger. After a successful tenure at WDM Architects, where he received numerous awards for his designs, Chip returned full time to Prairie Works Design Studios in 2009.
Today, Chip balances his time between creating architectural sculptures and practicing high-end residential and business architecture. He believes that “architecture and sculpture are essentially the same thing. Architecture is literally creating a three-dimensional sculpture that interacts with people and the environment.”
Ann Zerger, MFA, Professor Emeritus
Born and raised on the great plains of Kansas, Professor Ann Zerger is a renowned sculptor and recently retired as Professor of Fine Art at McPherson College. After receiving her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture at Wichita State University, she dedicated her life to the art of sculpture, working with a variety of media including clay, stone, bronze, and metal. Her work, which explores the balance between individual uniqueness and group belonging, is featured in private and public collections throughout the country and has been exhibited internationally.
Before becoming a full-time artist, Ann worked in the field of medicine as a licensed Physician Assistant for over 15 years. Today, she divides her time between community service and creating art at Prairie Works Design Studios, the architectural and sculpture studio she co-founded on her family farm in Kansas.