House of Alegría is a multi-fold project supporting and investing in emerging (un)documented Queer, Trans, Non-Binary artists through an Artist in Residence Program, in-house publishing press, community workshops, and consultations.
How did House of Alegría begin?
This project began as an idea in 2016 to support the next generation of emerging migrant creatives. We at House of Alegría believe that migrant and Queer/Trans/Non-Binary creatives deserve space to imagine, deserve time to rest, deserve to be in a nurturing ecosystem that feels regenerative and collaborative. We trust in the power of artists and storytellers, and their self-determination and autonomy. We wish to cultivate the shared knowledge of our cultural workers and move towards a world where migrant and Queer/Trans/Non-Binary artists are supported in their craft, growth, creativity, and imagination. *To read about the multiple parts of House of Alegría, visit our Projects tab.
*House of Alegría believes in migrant justice, Queer & Trans Liberation, and cultural equity.
Where does the name “House of Alegría” come from?
House of Alegría is named after Sonia’s paternal grandmother, Alegría Guiñansaca, an indigenous Andean Kichwa Kañari woman born in Cumbe, Ecuador. She was a kind, generous, and tender person who always wore her traditional vibrant embroidered pollera, straw hat, and shawl. Her contagious smile and laughter were highlights of her personality. In 1995, Sonia migrated to the United States, and at the age of 5 this would be the last time they would see Abuelita Alegría. In her honor, Sonia has named this project after her.
*Alegría is a Spanish word which is translated to “joy” in English. In Abuelita Alegría’s honor and in the same sentiment of joy, this multi-fold project is intended for migrant artists who are looking for a “home” that honors, respects, and celebrates their artistry and well being.
About the founder:
Sonia Guiñansaca is an international award winning queer migrant poet, cultural organizer and social justice activist. They believe in the power of Queer, Trans, Non-Binary migrant storytellers.
They emerged as a national leader in the migrant artistic and political communities where they coordinated and participated in groundbreaking civil disobedience actions. Guiñansaca helped build some of the largest undocumented organizations in the US, including some of the first artistic projects by and for undocumented writers and artists. Sonia has worked for over a decade in both policy and cultural efforts building equitable infrastructures for migrant artists. They have been awarded residencies and fellowships from Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation, Poetry Foundation, British Council, and the Hemispheric Institute for Performance & Politics. Guiñansaca has performed at the Met, the NYC Public Theater, Lehmann Maupin Gallery and has been featured on PEN American, Interview Magazine, Ms.Magazine, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Diva Magazine UK, CNN, NBC, and PBS to name a few. Their migration and cultural equity work has also taken them to London and Mexico City to advise on migrant policy and arts programming.
Sonia self-published their debut mini chapbook Nostalgia and Borders in 2016. They are a contributor for the new edition of ColonizeThis! Anthology (2019 Seal Press), featured on Stop Telling Women to Smile (2020 Seal Press), and a contributor to This is Not a Gun (2020 Sming Sming Books). They are represented by Writers House Agency. They are co-editor of the upcoming collection of 41 essays, poems, and visual art by undocumented and formerly undocumented creatives, SomeWhere We Are Human ,(June 2022, Harper Collins).
To learn more about Sonia, please visit SoniaGuinansaca.com. You can also follow them on IG/ Twitter: @TheSoniaG