Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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CreArte Latino Cultural Center co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Carolina Franco said now that the new space on Northgate Boulevard is open, the organization hosted its first birthday celebration at the new center for the community.
She hoped the celebration and fundraiser, held Aug. 9, would showcase the organization's mission of representing Latino and Hispanic culture.
Serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, the nonprofit offers programming that includes theater and community narratives, classes in the arts, and English and Spanish language classes.
"We need to close that gap that's a bit closed now, more than ever," Franco said. "It's about celebrating that we can be stronger if we all learn from each other and we all mingle together."
Attendees had the chance to dance to music by a DJ, participate in crafts and activities, and enjoy food and a birthday cake.
They were encouraged to bring gifts and to donate, while Franco said an anonymous $5,000 matching gift prior to the event had the potential to double the donations made.
Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez
Photo by Ian Swaby
Martha Ceron joins other attendees in singing "Happy Birthday" to CreArte Latino.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mara Kamukai Genga and Lily Mejia join other attendees in spontaneous dancing.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Board member Amanda Rico and Carolina Franco finish dancing with attendees.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Food from Chef Mike was offered at the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Board members Kilvian Tiburcio, Marc Masferrer, Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Carolina Franco, and board member Amanda Rico hold the birthday ceremony.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Attendees were encouraged to bring gifts for the volunteer staff.
Photo by Ian Swaby
DJ Nat Keza provided music for the party.
Photo by Ian Swaby
CreArte dance instructor Eddy Ossa walks on stilts as he dances with Shanti Tollefson, 8.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bernardo Rosello and Kilvian Tiburcio
Photo by Ian Swaby
Volunteers Perla Marcano, Miriam Montiel Martinez and Martinez's niece, Miranda Montiel López, 11 provided crafts for kids.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Evan Castano, 4, and Daniel Mendez, 4 run across the stage with balloons.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Francis Peña, 5, plays with a balloon.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Camila Zorrilla, 6, pieces together a craft item.
Photo by Ian Swaby
CreArte Latino celebrated its eighth birthday.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Carolina Franco speaks to attendees.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Board members Marc Masferrer, Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Carolina Franco, and board member Amanda Rico celebrate as the candle is blown out.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gabriella Mendez, 7, watches as a balloon floats away.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Board members and volunteers of CreArte Latino gather on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Daniel Mendez, 4, plays with one of the balloons found on the ceiling of the room.
Photo by Ian Swaby
CreArte dance instructor Eddy Ossa dances with Camila Zorrilla, 6, as her father Juan Pablo Zorrilla looks on.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
