A vibrant nonprofit in Seminole County is keeping Hispanic art, literature, and heritage at the heart of community life
By Lin Green
Columnist
Every so often, you walk into a space that feels like more than just an event, it feels like a homecoming. That’s exactly what I experienced at Tertulia Cuatro Gatos, a nonprofit cultural and literary program dedicated to celebrating art, literature, and heritage in the Central Florida area. From the moment I stepped into their gathering, I knew this was more than a program; it was a living, breathing celebration of identity and community.
The name Tertulia itself carries weight. In Spanish, it refers to a social gathering where people come together to share stories, poetry, music, and ideas. Cuatro Gatos brings the spirit of that tradition to life locally, creating a vibrant space where voices from different backgrounds rise together in harmony. Whether it’s poetry readings, musical expressions, or historical reflections, each event is a reminder of how art builds bridges across cultures.
The roots of this movement run deep. Nearly two decades ago, artist and historian María Emma Fernández founded Tertulia Cuatro Gatos out of a search for Spanish-language books and a desire to create spaces for cultural exchange in Central Florida. The name traces back to a café in Barcelona where Picasso debuted his first exhibition and García Lorca once read his poems. Today, that same spirit of creativity and dialogue lives on in Central Florida-area libraries, including Sanford, Lake Mary, and Oviedo.
What sets Tertulia apart isn’t just its history or programming, it’s the intentionality. Leaders like Fernández and Karen Costello, who directs the Sanford chapter at Seminole County Library, have cultivated an environment where creativity collides with community. In Sanford, gatherings take place every second Saturday of the month, offering the public a chance to immerse themselves in literature, art, history, and music of the Latino community. It’s not just about preserving culture but about inviting everyone to experience it fully.
For me personally, the impact was profound. I left their event not only inspired but also challenged: How can we each use our own gifts to create spaces of belonging? How do we ensure that culture and creativity are not only preserved but celebrated for the next generation? These are the kinds of questions that linger long after the applause fades, the kind that stay with you as you move through your own calling.
Central Florida is rich with diversity, and organizations like Tertulia Cuatro Gatos shine a spotlight on that richness. They amplify voices that too often go unheard, and they provide a platform where art isn’t just observed, it’s experienced. That is something worth recognizing and supporting.
As a community, we thrive when we uplift the work of nonprofits like this one. Whether you attend an event, volunteer, or simply share their mission with others, your support keeps the cultural heartbeat of our region alive and strong.
So, the next time you hear about Tertulia Cuatro Gatos, I encourage you, go. Sit in the room, feel the energy, listen to the stories, and allow yourself to be moved. You may just walk away, like I did, reminded that culture is not only to be preserved, but also to be lived.
