Thomas Giarraffa

Thomas Giarraffa started his photo career when he was just a child. Born and raised in Staten Island, he began shooting when he was accepted into Mark Twain I.S. 239 for the Gifted and Talented. Giarraffa makes photographs of all kinds, from surreal environmental portraits to captivating commercial work. His personal works consist of cinematic productions — telling nostalgic tales from stories heard and experienced in his personal past.

The Alice Austen House

The Alice Austen House occupies a singular position, both geographically and culturally—on the water’s edge of Staten Island’s North Shore. Once the home, studio, and muse of pioneering photographer Alice Austen, the house dates back to 1690 and is one of New York City’s historic homes. Yet it functions today not as a static historic site, but as a dynamic contemporary arts hub.

The museum celebrates queer and women’s history while breathing new life into Austen’s legacy by engaging with current artistic, social, and personal exploration. For Austen, this home, now a public park, was a radical retreat and safe haven for her and her largely queer circle of friends. That spirit of refuge and experimentation continues today. We activate the house and grounds through our Queer Ecologies Garden, deep community partnerships, and sustained support for artists, fostering the creation of new work that honors the past while speaking directly to the present.

The museum and public park have been a National LGBTQ+ landmark since 2017.