Shands Jacksonville will host its fifth annual Art & Winefest Thursday, Aug. 14 at The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is presented by 96.9 The Eagle and Capital South Bank.
Art & Winefest is put on each year to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Shands Jacksonville.
Shands is home to the first Level III neonatal intensive care unit in northeast Florida. The designation means the hospital is equipped to care for the most premature babies and critical cases. The NICU team includes board-certified UF neonatologists and pediatric surgeons, neonatal nurse practitioners and physician assistants, among others.
Shands Jacksonville’s NICU is the birthplace of one of North America’s smallest babies. Keyle Kerce weighed only 13.5 ounces when she was born on Feb. 4, 2004. It is believed she is the third smallest baby to be born and survive. Now a healthy four-year-old, Keyle is featured on the hospital’s Portraits of Hope wall outside the NICU. The wall is meant to give hope to families who currently have infants being treated in the NICU.
Those attending the annual Art & Winefest will enjoy delicious food and wine, as well as beautiful art. This year the event will also play host to an Iron Chef and Iron Artist competition. Two chefs from the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club will compete live on stage starting at 6:30 p.m. As the chefs are given their secret ingredient, four artists will be given a secret theme and begin painting. Judges for both competitions will announce the winners an hour later. A live auction follows the competition and the artwork will be sold to the highest bidder. Proceeds from the event will benefit the NICU.
Tickets are $45 in advance and can be ordered online at www.969TheEagle.com or purchased at the door for $50.