Episode 45 - Zoë Barry and Spring McManus

Welcome to Art Lovers Forum, where today’s episode might just blow the doors off everything you thought you knew about motorsports and contemporary art.

I’m thrilled to introduce two visionary women who are rewriting the rules of both industries: Zoë Barry and Spring McManus. Together, they’re launching DART Car—a revolutionary platform that fuses high-performance racing with high-impact art, all while championing women in spaces where they’ve been dramatically underrepresented.

Consider this: only 4% of professional race car drivers are women. Only 4% of artworks sold at auction are by women. DART Car is here to change that.

Their inaugural collaboration features the internationally celebrated artist Mickalene Thomas, whose dazzling portraits of Black women have graced galleries, museums, and now—racecars. Yes, you heard that right. Mickalene has custom-designed a McLaren Artura GT4, along with the driver suits and helmets, ushering in a bold new era of motorsport—one that celebrates identity, innovation, and unapologetic creativity.

Zoë Barry is no stranger to breaking barriers. She’s a serial entrepreneur, investor, and Techstars mentor who’s built and sold multiple companies and raised over $60 million in venture capital. She made her semi-pro racing debut in 2022, quickly racking up top-3 finishes and earning the coveted “Hard Charger” award in the Porsche Sprint Challenge.

Spring McManus brings two decades of art world mastery to the table. As a curator, advisor, and former Christie’s expert, she guides major collectors and corporations through the high-stakes world of fine art with impeccable taste and a razor-sharp eye for cultural value.

And Mickalene Thomas? She’s not just a star—she’s a supernova. Recently named to the 2025 TIME 100 list, her work blurs the lines between art, fashion, and activism. Her partnership with DART Car marks a stunning new chapter in the evolution of both motorsports and visual art.