A creative arts business was always a dream for founder Florentino Garguilo. For as long as he can remember, Florentino has had a passion for bringing people together through the love of art. That passion first took shape at Farmingdale State College, where he founded Writer’s Café, and came full circle after graduation with the creation of Creative Café.
Florentino is a dynamic creative professional who embraces multiple forms of art. His personal brand, Tino Art, showcases his abstract/expressive paintings, digital pop art, published books, and music compositions. Through Tino Art, he also uses his degree in Applied Psychology and coaching background to provide motivation and empowerment via his La Vita podcast.
Florentino founded Creative Café with one goal: community. As someone who loves attending and participating in Long Island’s art events, he understands how overwhelming it can be to discover opportunities, and how intimidating (and costly) it can feel to start creating art. Creative Café was built to bridge that gap.
When he’s not immersed in art, Florentino enjoys spending time with family and friends, mowing his lawn, cooking and baking, and simply enjoying life.
Mission
Our mission is simple: to ignite the fire of creativity in everyone on Long Island. We do this by:
- For Starters: Offering video tutorials and written guides on creative pursuits, plus links to affordable tools, software, and success tips.
- For Art Lovers: Sharing calendars of art events, organizations to join, and local opportunities.
- For Locals: Showcasing Long Island artists of all levels and giving a voice to aspiring creators.
- For Organizations: Supporting fundraising for school clubs, art programs, and creative initiatives.
- For Everyone: Providing art-inspired merchandise so you can proudly display your love of creativity.
At Creative Café, there’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re a casual community member or an experienced artist.
Values
All forms of creativity matter: While many groups focus on one art form (e.g., painting), Creative Café celebrates every expression: visual arts, music, performance, comedy, fashion, and beyond. If it requires creative thinking, it’s art.
Art is subjective: We believe there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” art, which is why we don’t measure creativity in competitions. If you’re expressing yourself, finding joy, and embracing your creative side, then you’re making great art.
Creative Café 