James Museum aligns with Kart 4 Kids charity
The annual Kart 4 Kids Pro-Am Kart Race, a fundraiser for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, took place Wednesday at Andersen Race Park in the city of Palmetto (Manatee County).
Chaired by racing legend and St. Petersburg resident Sébastien Bourdais, Kart 4 Kids has raised more than $1.6 million for the hospital, used to purchase critical life-saving equipment, cameras for the NICU, and to fund the creation of the Kart 4 Kids Concussion Research Initiative.
It’s not a coincidence that the “go-kart” pro-am happened just before St. Petersburg Grand Prix weekend. It’s been connected at the hip since the beginning: The organization was formed in 2012 to honor the memory of another St. Pete resident, IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon. (Wheldon, who died in a car crash in 2011 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, is celebrated in the new HBO documentary film The Lionheart, debuting March 12 on Max.)
Art by Roger Warrick.
New this year is Art 4 Kids: A Pop-Up Motorsports Gallery at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg. Open regular museum hours (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) daily through Sunday, it features art and photography available for purchase from more than 80 artists, including Chuck Braud, Ron Burton, Zach Carroll, Todd Cook, Kate Cook, Chris Owens, Bill Patterson, Steve Petroski, Jamey Price, Rae Roberts, Chris Russick, Roger Warrick, Mike Zagorski and Samatha Zimmerman. It’s included with regular museum admission.
A portion of art sale proceeds, and all donations, benefit Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation.
The James hosts a reception Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., with free admission. This will also feature motorsports memorabilia, including helmets, race-worn suits, gloves, boots and more.
For more information, visit the Kart 4 Kids website here.
This story has been modified from its original version.
Art by Sam Zimmerman.
