On Saturday, May 4, La Casita held an event to mark the release of the first publication by women in its Mom’s and Women’s program. The book, titled La Casita de Todas, contains original artwork and texts created during La Casita’s 2023-24 workshops. The production process involved the work of numerous students, scholars, and community members.
Sandy Siquier, actor, storyteller, script writer, and Assistant Teaching Professor of Film at Syracuse University, led creative writing workshops at La Casita in the fall of 2023, which generated the original content seen in the new book. Workshops were held entirely in Spanish, which made them accessible to La Casita’s community.
“For three weeks, Fridays were reserved for enlivening our ideas, translating them into written words, telling our stories, having a lot of fun, and strengthening ourselves as a community,” Siquier says.
The artwork featured in the book was all produced during La Casita’s Arts as Mindfulness program, led by Bennie Guzman (G’25), who is a graduate student in Creative Arts Therapy at SU and Programming Coordinator at La Casita.
“Arts as Mindfulness was designed to promote creativity, relaxation, and self-reflection through art making,” Guzman explains. “Through this program, I honor the sacrifice and hard work of all women and mothers who care for others…This program allowed participants the time and safe space to reflect and express themselves creatively.”
Saturday’s book release also featured the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind artbook made by Carrie Valenzuela of Amaranth Press & Bindery, located in the Delevan Center.
This book is made of hand-cut pages, a hand-stitched spine of jewel-toned rainbow thread, and a maroon leather cover. It contains all of the original art pieces that were reproduced in the new publication. Valenzuela says each creative decision was made to accentuate the variety of women’s perspectives that converge within the book.
“It was wonderful seeing this collaborative book coming together, making a tangible thing for the group to hold and share, a vessel containing their writings and original artwork,” Valenzuela writes. “We made a substantial book that shows who the creators are, not only as extensions of their families but as honored individuals with their own vital statement.”
The release of this publication would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of several Syracuse University undergraduate students. Lizmarie Montemayor (’24) transcribed and co-edited the book, Isabela Rodriguez (’25) helped to facilitate the women’s workshops, and Daniela Dorado (’24) handled the graphic design and composition of the book. Lizmarie also created a documentary about the entire process, which was screened at the book release event.
About the Women’s Program
La Casita’s Women’s Program first began as the center was reopening in 2021, in response to pressing concerns about exhaustion, mental health, and the need to reconnect after an extended period of isolation, especially for those who struggle with language barriers. Catalina Niño Cordero (G’22), who had just completed an advanced degree in Women’s & Gender Studies and an Executive Masters in Public Administration at SU, spent a year at La Casita building a Women’s Program in response to these needs, particularly programs to promote a sense of wellness, connection, belonging.
“I have always felt that individual growth must happen in the context of community. We identify with each other in our anguish, our questions, yearnings, and curiosities. These are relations of great solidarity and joy; of feeling recognized and not judged. We have been able to form a group where people can feel at ease to come with their own reality and be who they are,” Niño Cordero explains.
Programming for women has continued at La Casita for three years, including monthly lunch gatherings, weekly artmaking workshops, and various other activities focused on creativity, connection, and mindfulness. Each of the women who participate in these programs bring their unique backgrounds and skills with them.
Doris Villarán, one of the women whose work is now featured in La Casita de Todas, says that the women’s workshops have given her an opportunity to build relationships and to gain coping skills.
“Being here [at La Casita] relaxes me, clears my mind,” Villarán shares. “Basically, all the art projects that I worked on I did with the purpose of coping…It has been a way for me to allow emotions to flow and find ways to manage the time I spend alone. I believe these programs present a unique and marvelous opportunity, and I would like to see more people benefit from this space, because it helps to connect.”
Another participant, Ashley López, explains that La Casita’s programs have allowed her to form friendships and to learn alongside her daughter.
“I have not been here that long, but a bond has been formed between mothers, to get to know each other beyond the children,” says López. “The Mom’s Program is a space of freedom.”
La Casita de Todas is now available in print at La Casita, and the leather-bound book containing the original artwork remains on display in La Casita’s gallery.