wellness

The Art of Renewal @ Orozco Gallery

thesophiefund

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 dedicated to creativity, connection, and cultural celebration. The venue is located at 115 S. Cayuga Street (next to Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine).

Orozco Gallery activates underutilized storefronts, transforming empty spaces into temporary hubs for arts, culture, and community. Throughout the month, the gallery will feature artist talks, live music, dance performances, workshops, film screenings, and family-friendly gatherings, inviting community members of all ages to participate in a welcoming, sober environment.

Many events are free or offered on a sliding scale to ensure accessibility. Select programs require RSVP. Full details and the complete schedule are available at orozcogallery.com.

Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal—a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This 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.

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.

—Orozco Gallery

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CALENDAR

Event Schedule

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

Panaderia Peluche Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Melissa Castillo Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged

Friday, April 10

Poison Apple Society Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Sarah Lopez Artist Talk & Workshop 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 featuring Skarlet Killz & Queentessential & Noah Phence Free; all ages welcome; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Thursday, April 16 | 6:00–8:00 PM

Luna Fiber Studios Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Gabriella Evergreen Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 17

Annie Sheng Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Rory Ruiz Romero Howell Artist Talk & Workshop 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

Carolina Osorio Gril Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Yamilka Portorreal Artist Talk & Workshop 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

Make Your Own 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.

Life and Times of an Ithaca Baker

thesophiefund

The Sophie Fund presented Aušra Milano with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest on October 18 in recognition of the outstanding confections she entered every year since the event began in 2016.

Aušra Milano & friend receiving an award at the 2024 Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest

“We are constantly amazed at the creations that she whips up,” said contest emcee Gabriella da Silva Carr. “She uses all manner of unexpected ingredients: anything from black sesame seeds, tahini, and rose water; to cocoa powder, olive oil, and orange zest; to putting blackberries together with orchard apples.”

Carr also noted Milano’s creative decorations. “She has made cupcakes that resemble ice cream cones, and others in the form of a cup of coffee where the cup and saucer are also edible. Her frosting can be an extravagant floral arrangement or a simple-but-spooky Halloween look that she describes as a black-and-white photo.”

Milano always appreciated the mental health theme behind the contest. When the contest had to be held online in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, her entry form noted that many people were dying, struggling, or barely holding on. So that year, Carr explained, Milano created the ice cream cone cupcakes reminiscent of ice cream socials “to remind us of happy, hopeful, and joyful times when all was okay. Or at least seemed okay.”

Carr said that one year Milano submitted brown butter carrot cupcakes—her personal favorite—with a message that reflects the true spirit of the cupcake contest: “Simple, humble cupcakes, nothing too fancy, pure comfort and love.”

Milano called the Lifetime Achievement Award “a wonderful surprise,” adding “I feel truly honored and appreciated, it means a ton to me. I loved to bake since a very early age and that passion still continues.”

Milano said that she baked a lot of goods for various gatherings and events when her sons were in school, but since they graduated she had fewer occasions for her treats.

“That is why I am so happy there is Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest,” she said. “It gives me a chance to think about what could I bake next, an opportunity for me to experiment, be creative, and just get lost in a kitchen for a while. I love the event and have great joy participating every year.”

The thing Milano loves most about the contest, she said, is how many young people are involved.

“Young bakers, volunteers, so many happy smiling youthful faces,” she noted. “I think this brings so much important meaning to the event that is centered around mental health and support.”

Thank You, Cupcake Contest Sponsors!

thesophiefund

The Sophie Fund extends its gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Visions Federal Credit Union, Cayuga Health, Well Said Media, Maguire Family of Dealerships, and Wegmans for supporting the 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest. Thank you for once again championing the mental health mission in our community!

Cupcake Joy, 2025 Edition

thesophiefund

We’re celebrating 10 years of the Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest! Here’s a slideshow from the latest edition held in the Ithaca Commons on October 18, 2025.

Registration Team for 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest

Madelyne entering her “Pumpkin Chai Cupcakes”

Kirstan Brodie’s “Apple of My Pie Cupcakes”

Jonica LeRoux entering her “Bear Paw’s Smoky Sugar Shack Cupcakes”

Katy Holloway’s “The Pineapple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree Cupcakes”

Lucia entering her “Halloween Cupcakes”

Anayeli Newton’s “S’mores Cupcakes”

Bethanie Keem-Calhoun’s “Mimosa Cupcakes”

Rebecca DeGroat entering her “Happy 250th Birthday Marine Corps Cupcakes”

Sadie Hays’s “Mount Merapi Cupcakes”

Kyra O’Toole entering her “Fall Forest Cupcakes”

Hudson, Paxton, and Gamay’s “Harry Potter Cupcakes”

Lydia Mentzer’s “Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes”

Megan Martinez’s “Pumpkin’ed Up Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cupcakes”

Alecia Sundsmo’s “Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes”

Isaac Ortiz’s “Dubai Chocolate Cupcakes”

Tabitha Gray’s “Orange Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes”

Village at Ithaca’s Razzmatazz Rainbow Cupcakes”

Dawn Kracht’s “A Taste of Fall Cupcakes”

Cupcakes awaiting the judges

Juju B’s Sweets’s “Joy Cupcakes”

Travis Bohmer’s “Apple Pie, Oh My! Cupcakes”

Sophie Fund giveaways for the contestants

Sophie Fund volunteers

Event planner Cara Nichols and friends

Awards Ceremony Emcee Gabriella da Silva Carr and sidekick-in-lederhosen Ben Sandberg

Wegmans pastry chefs Savannah and Natalie conduct a cupcake decorating workshop

Mastering the art of piping floral decorations

Wegmans decorating workshop cupcakes ready to eat

Let the judging begin (with a Corgi named Gnocchi standing guard)

So many cupakes, so little time

Drum roll, please, for the final round of judging!

Molly receiving the Autumn Magic Award

Kate Bagnell receiving the 3rd Place Award for her “Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes”

Sadie Hays receiving the Honorable Mention Award for her “Mount Merapi Cupcakes”

Katy receiving the Honorable Mention Award for her “The Pineapple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree Cupcakes”

Marina Mahashin and Amin Lopez Luna receiving the Honorable Mention Award for their “Coco-Mango Sticky Rice Cupcakes”

The Sophie Fund Team

Be Kind Ithaca finding new ways to spread the message

And that’s a wrap: “Elvis has left the Pavilion“

Ithaca Cupcakes 2025: Special Awards

thesophiefund

Contestants in the 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest on October 18 dazzled the judges with their creations! Congratulations to these winners of Special Awards!

Special Awards

The Guac Star Award

Lydia Mentzer

The Sorting Hat Choice Award

Hudson, Paxton, and Gamay

Flavor Bouquet Award

Madelyne Myers

Slice of Pi Award

Kirstan Brodie

Autumn Magic Award

Molly Maher

Spooktacular Sweet Treat Award

Lucia O’Toole

Vivacious Vegan Delight Award

Juju B’s Sweets

Orange Explosion Award

Tabitha Gray

Spirit of Service Award

Rebecca DeGroat

Power in Every Bite Award

Alecia Sundsmo

Sky’s The Limit Award

Village at Ithaca

Lydia Mentzer’s “Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes,” chocolate cakes with guacamole-colored frosting.

Hudson, Paxton, and Gamay’s “Harry Potter Cupcakes,” vanilla sponge cakes with beer-flavored buttercream frosting topped with Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin scarves and pretzel stick wands.

Madelyne Myers’s “Pumpkin Chai Cupcakes,” pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, and chocolate cakes, with brown sugar cream cheese frosting.

Kirstan Brodie’s “Apple of My Pie Cupcakes,” cinnamon-spiced cakes studded with juicy apple chunks topped with a “pie crust” of salted brown butter cream cheese frosting.

Molly Maher’s “Between Seasons Cupcakes,” chocolate spice cakes with orange marmalade filling topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting and grated candied orange.

Lucia O’Toole’s “Halloween Cupcakes,” dark chocolate cakes and chocolate frosting with Halloween decorations.

Juju B’s Sweets’s “Joy Cupcakes,” cocoa and apple sauce cakes studded with toasted almonds topped with coconut-flavored frosting, sweetened coconut flakes and almond slivers.

Tabitha Gray’s “Orange Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes,” chocolate cakes with orange filling and an orange buttercream frosting.

Rebecca DeGroat’s “Happy 250th Birthday Marine Corps Cupcakes,” carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting and gold and red sprinkles.

Alecia Sundsmo’s “Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes,” chocolate vegan cakes with chocolate icing and a vegan marshmallow on top.

Village at Ithaca’s “Razzmatazz Rainbow Cupcakes,” blue raspberry confetti cakes and Italian meringue frosting topped with meringue clouds and blue raspberry and sour candy.