Tampa Bay Artist Caroline Karp Joins Little Bee Gallery to Help Fund Therapy for Child with Cerebral Palsy
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A family-run online art gallery that donates 100% of net proceeds to fund therapy for a child with cerebral palsy is attracting established artists fromacross North America who want their work to make a direct, measurable impact.
Little Bee Gallery, founded 15 months ago by Calgary-based Melanie Mireault and Suzanne Mireault in Winnipeg, has already raised enough through their gallery to cover all physiotherapy and therapy intensives for their nephew Beckett for all of 2024 and 2025. Now, internationally recognized artists are donating work to what the founders call the “Friends of Little Bee” program.
When Beckett was born in May 2023 with a brain injury and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, his family quickly learned that access to intensive therapy and specialized equipment would play a defining role in his ability to gain strength, mobility, and independence. They also learned that this care is costly, ongoing, and often difficult for families to sustain.
In response, Beckett’s aunt Melanie and great-aunt Suzanne launched Little Bee Gallery with a singular purpose: to fund therapy and adaptive equipment for Beckett.
Through a model in which artists donate their work and time, net proceeds from art sales are directed toward his care.
“Everything we do begins with Beckett,” said Suzanne, who spent decades running an advertising agency before retiring and focusing on her art. “Each piece sold represents real therapy hours, real equipment, and real progress. That clarity of purpose is what artists and collectors respond to.”
The gallery’s Friends of Little Bee program now includes nearly 20 established artists. Tampa Bay expressionist Caroline Karp is the most recent to donate work to the program, contributing a significant original piece. She joins, amongst others, internationally exhibited Canadian artist Roger Lafreniere and Shawna Boulette Grapentine, whose work has been showcased nationally and internationally.
Karp holds a BFA from Florida State University and an MA from the University of Colorado. Her work has been featured in New Visionary Magazine and Voyage Tampa, and is held in private collections worldwide. She is also the founder of Creative Genius Zone, an expressive art education platform for children and adults.
“Little Bee Gallery is grounded in something very real,” said Karp. “It’s not abstract philanthropy — the impact is immediate and personal. I’m honored to support a child’s journey through my work.”