Welcome

The LCA is an all volunteer organization dedicated to serving the Latino community of Tompkins County by providing a platform for its social, cultural, education and civic expression.

Our Mission:
To foster a united Latino community, strengthen Latino identity, and promote solidarity,
cultural pride and civic engagement.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friday, April 3 | 5:00–8:00 PM | Grand Gallery Opening Reception
Celebrate the launch of the pop-up season with non-alcoholic drinks by Open Spaces and food by Jojo Cook. Free; all ages welcome.

Saturday, April 4 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Easter Egg Painting
A creative evening for all ages. Sliding scale fee; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Tuesday, April 7 | 3:00–5:30 PM | Work, Tea & Lo-Fi
Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Clothing Swap & Chill
Bring three articles of clothing to swap and mingle. Free; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Thursday, April 9 | Artist Talks & Workshops
Panaderia Peluche 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Melissa Castillo 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged

Friday, April 10 | Artist Talks & Workshops
Poison Apple Society 6:00 - 7:00 PM Sarah Lopez 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged

Saturday, April 11 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Date Night: Live Bossa Nova Jazz
Free; ages 14+; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Sunday, April 12 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Sip & Paint (Bob Ross–Inspired)
Sliding scale; ages 14+; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Tuesday, April 14 | 3:00–5:30 PM | Work, Tea & Lo-Fi
Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 15 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Latine Drag Night
Skarlet Killz & Queentessential & Noah Phence
Free; all ages welcome; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Thursday, April 16 | Artist Talks & Workshops
Luna Fiber Studios 6:00 - 7:00 PM Gabriella Evergreen 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 17 | Artist Talks & Workshops
Annie Sheng 6:00 - 7:00 PM Rory Ruiz Romero Howell 7:00 - 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Saturday, April 18 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Afro-Cuban Live Music with Venissa Santi 3rio
Free; ages 14+; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Sunday, April 19 | 5:00–6:00 PM | Lily Pad Puppet Theatre
Free; all ages welcome; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Tuesday, April 21 | 5:00–6:00 PM | Work, Tea & Lo-Fi
Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 22 | 5:00–6:00 PM | Bilingual Story Time
In collaboration with Buffalo St Books, Free; all ages welcome.

Thursday, April 23 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Make Your Own Paper Doll
Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 24 | Artist Talks & Workshops
Carolina Osorio Gril 6:00 - 7:00 PM Yamilka Portorreal 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Saturday, April 25 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Film Night: The Shape of Water
Free; ages 18+; bring pillows or a comfortable camping chair.

Sunday, April 26 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Zine Workshop
Ages 18+; sliding scale; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00–6:00 PM | Work, Tea & Lo-Fi
Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 29 | 5:00–7:00 PM | MYO Victorian Puzzle Letter
Ages 14+; sliding scale; supplies included; non-alcoholic drinks available. RSVP encouraged.

Thursday, April 30 | 6:00–7:00 PM | Latin Dance Class
Ages 14+; sliding scale; bring water and comfortable shoes.

Friday, May 1 | 5:00–8:00 PM | Closing Reception
Free; catering by Zócalo; drinks by Open Spaces.

Saturday, May 2 | 8:00 PM–12:00 AM |The Dutchess of Spirit Posse Dance Party
Sliding scale; ages 18+; non-alcoholic drinks available.

ITHACA, NY — In times of uncertainty, art remains a powerful act of resilience. This April and early May, Orozco Gallery will open its doors for the second year as a vibrant pop-up space for creativity, connection, and cultural celebration at 115 S. Cayuga St. in Downtown Ithaca (Next to Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine!)

Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, workshops, film, and family-friendly gatherings, the gallery invites community members of all ages to come together in a welcoming, sober environment. Many events are free or sliding scale to ensure accessibility. Select programs require RSVP.

Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal — a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This month-long series is organized and founded by community maker, curator, and activist Yen Ospina in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, with support from GreenStar Food Co+op with opening catering from JoJo Cook, and with additional support from the Latina/o Studies Program at Cornell University. Big thanks for Press Bay for making this dream happen.

This year’s pop-up is presented in loving memory of Debra Castillo, who championed Ospina’s work as a community maker, activist, and artist. Ospina and Castillo had envisioned building this initiative into an annual gathering. In honor of Castillo’s legacy, Ospina is committed to continuing the pop-up each year as a space for cultural celebration and collective care.

Community members interested in supporting or getting involved are encouraged to reach out at contact@yenospina.com.

The Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County announces the opportunity for a Latinx graduating high school senior and for a Latine/x non-traditional student to receive an award totaling $800. The Cecilia Montaner-Vargas Award is to be used for any future academic or occupational training program.

Interested students must complete all sections of the electronic application and send additional documents. Please get in touch with the LCA if a hard copy of the application is required.

Application link: https://form.jotform.com/260085284860157

Instructions for applicants and the deadline are listed below.

ELIGIBILITY - The Latino Civic Association will consider:

High School student - Latinx seniors in good academic standing who demonstrate community service involvement and who are graduating from any Tompkins County school district at the end of the 2026 school year; and
Non-traditional student – Latinx individuals who demonstrate community service involvement and who are returning to school, whether for an occupational training program or for college.

SUBMITTAL - The deadline for submission is May 1, 2026. Please send the required documents by email:

lcaoftompkinscounty@gmail.com

Note: Reference letters and other required documents must be scanned if necessary and attached as a .pdf document if the submittal is emailed. Pdfs must be no larger than 5 MB.

Or by mail:

Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County
PO Box 6532
Ithaca, NY 14851

Note: The submittal application by mail is due postmarked no later than May 1, 2026

For more information about the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County and the Cecilia Montaner-Vargas Award, visit our website: https://www.lcatompkins.org

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at lcaoftompkinscounty@gmail.com

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The LCA board is monitoring local efforts to protect immigrants and refugees in Tompkins County. We are amplifying the services of several local and fully staffed resources who can help if ICE agents are conducting raids in your area, if you need help locating someone in ICE custody, or if you would like to report ICE activity in Tompkins County:

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees
Located in: First Presbyterian Church
Address: 315 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 288-2984
Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is a volunteer-led community initiative that fosters a welcoming and fair environment for refugees and immigrants who come to our region. Our hope is that these efforts will continue the development of Ithaca as a welcoming host community in times of great global need.

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga – Immigrant Services Program (Ithaca, NY)
324 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 272-5062 http://www.catholiccharitiestt.org/
Provides social services as well as a specific refugee and immigrant program that assists with resettlement, legal immigration services, referrals, job development, public assistance applications, healthcare and childcare, and domestic violence prevention.

Tompkins County Immigrant Rights Coalition (Ithaca, NY)
Languages: Chinese, English, Spanish, Thai
Phone: (607) 277-8699
http://www.tcimmigrants.com/
An advocacy and organizing group for immigrant rights that also provides information, resources, and leadership training to communities.