From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

fWe’re also lucky that New England is so welcoming to  the arts, with Rhode Island and Boston the centers. You get a good sense of this reading the new  autobiography in the form of a graphic novel called Chazan!: Unfiltered about the Ocean State’s leading patron of living local artists, Joseph Chazan, M.D.

Joe Chazan, who is now 85, is a  physician, scientist and very successful businessman (kidney-dialysis services) and has been a big figure around here  for a long time. His  often humorous, larger-than-life personality has energized civic culture.

Besides the exciting (funny, sad, educational and a lot in-between) story of Dr. Chazan’s life from its very modest beginnings, the book serves as a panoramic view of the local art scene, showing the work of many artists, some well known, some not. With art work by Erminio Pinque, script/story work by Lenny Schwartz, story work by Bradley Starr and help from others, the book entertains even those who may have known nothing about Dr. Chazan’s  decades of supporting local artists, including, for example, helping to start AS220, the downtown Providence arts center. (Full disclosure: My wife, a painter, is one of the many artists listed in the book.)

All too often, rich people chase status by only buying the work of famous artists. But Joe Chazan seeks out little known but promising artists and helps some of them become well known. He knows that there are plenty of hidden treasures around here.

Hit this link for more information about the book, including how to buy it.