Sarasota's CreArte Latino celebrates its birthday with fundraiser

The nonprofit held a function for its eighth birthday and first birthday in its new space, inviting the local community to join.

By Ian Swaby
| 7:30 a.m. August 12, 2025

Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez

Sarasota
Neighbors

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.

Martha Ceron joins other attendees in singing "Happy Birthday" to CreArte Latino.

Mara Kamukai Genga and Lily Mejia join other attendees in spontaneous dancing.

Board member Amanda Rico and Carolina Franco finish dancing with attendees.

Food from Chef Mike was offered at the event.

Board members Kilvian Tiburcio, Marc Masferrer, Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Carolina Franco, and board member Amanda Rico hold the birthday ceremony.

Attendees were encouraged to bring gifts for the volunteer staff.

DJ Nat Keza provided music for the party.

CreArte dance instructor Eddy Ossa walks on stilts as he dances with Shanti Tollefson, 8.

Volunteers Perla Marcano, Miriam Montiel Martinez and Martinez's niece, Miranda Montiel López, 11 provided crafts for kids.

Evan Castano, 4, and Daniel Mendez, 4 run across the stage with balloons.

Camila Zorrilla, 6, pieces together a craft item.

CreArte Latino celebrated its eighth birthday.

Board members Marc Masferrer, Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Carolina Franco, and board member Amanda Rico celebrate as the candle is blown out.

Gabriella Mendez, 7, watches as a balloon floats away.

Board members and volunteers of CreArte Latino gather on stage.

Daniel Mendez, 4, plays with one of the balloons found on the ceiling of the room.

CreArte dance instructor Eddy Ossa dances with Camila Zorrilla, 6, as her father Juan Pablo Zorrilla looks on.

author

Ian Swaby

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.