Art & Philanthropy: Our Exclusive Interview With Darlene Pérez
Mother, Wife, Nurse, Art Collector, And Prominent Philanthropist
By Contemporary Approaches | May 8, 2022
In photo: Darlene Pérez and husband Jorge Pérez
Darlene’s passion for helping people has made her one of the most prominent names in philanthropy. Her family’s foundation is most famous for its contributions to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), officially known as the Jorge M. Pérez Art Museum of Miami-Dade County. The foundation has made numerous contributions to art, education, and many other organizations and causes.
Darlene Pérez: "The most important value in our family is to give back. My husband and I have always been very involved in our community, and we have instilled this passion to our family and now to our grandkids.”
From an early age, she had a passion for helping people and has been a nurse for over 25 years. She shared with us that, "since I was a young girl, I have always been fascinated by medicine and helping others."
In photo: Darlene Pérez
Q+A
1.CA: What are the most important values you try to teach your children, and what advice would you like to share, especially to young mothers?
Darlene: The most important value in our family is to give back. My husband and I have always been very involved in our community, and we have instilled this passion to our family and now to our grandkids. For young mothers, I would say find joy and enjoy motherhood every single day because in a blink of an eye, they will be 18, and going off to college.
2. CA: As a mother and career woman, what advice would you give to other mothers on maintaining balance?
Darlene: I don't think that achieving balance is what young mothers need to strive for. As women, we can multitask and accomplish anything. However, I believe that you need to surround yourself with a tribe that will help you. Like-minded women who will support you as you will support them in times when you need it the most. It is thanks to my tribe that I can juggle different responsibilities.
In photo: Darlene Pérez and husband Jorge Pérez
3. CA: You're a prominent philanthropist and a huge donor to art and educational institutions. Can you share some of the highlights of your work?
Darlene: My proudest philanthropic achievement was to be able to help establish our Family Foundation. For us it was a way to truly give back to the different areas we feel passionate about, including art, education, health, poverty, and the environment.
4. CA: As a native resident of Miami, why is it so important to give back to the community?
Darlene: As I alluded to earlier, giving back is something that has always been ingrained in me. When I met my husband, this was one of the items that connected us from the start. It is important to me because it allows me to support the city that has nourished me, where I chose to raise my family, and now where our grandchildren are being raised.
Miami is a rich and vibrant city with many cultures and immigrants, so giving back to the community is a way of allowing all to participate in the growth of this magnificent city.
5. CA: Your fashion style is very elegant and classic; who are some of your fashion influences and favorite designers, and do you have any tips on how to always look timeless?
Darlene: Thank you! I do love fashion, and I have had the privilege of partnering with many amazing brands throughout the years that have been more than generous in supporting the causes I have represented. For me, however, it is more about how the clothes make you feel. I also don't follow trends as much as I do classic and versatile pieces that I can dress up and dress down when needed. I also make sure always to accessorize.
6. CA: You are a huge art collector. Have you always been into art, and what are some of your favorite pieces in your collection?
Darlene: I have always had a passion for art, but thanks to my husband, I was able to expand that passion to what it is today. Throughout the years I have had the honor of meeting artists and indirectly being a part of their creative process. This allows my thinking to expand beyond my everyday medical work experiences. I can't have a favorite piece. But, I am partial to the great American women expressionists that we have, such as Joan Mitchel, Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Grace Hartigan, and Elaine de Kooning.
7. CA: You have donated many pieces to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Why was this so important to you?
Darlene: I believe that there are no great cities without great museums and as such, the establishment of PAMM was very important in cementing Miami as a great urban place.
8. CA: Are there any new trends you've seen in the art world, and are there any changes you would like to see?
Darlene: More than a trend, I think it's recognition; I am a huge supporter of women artists who, to this day, are very much unrepresented in this industry. I chair the International Women's Committee at PAMM, which is an affiliate group that focuses on creating a platform to celebrate women's contributions to arts in order to further a more balanced representation among artists, curators, institutions, and galleries. The Committee has done an excellent job ensuring women are represented in the PAMM collection.
9. CA: Is there any project or ideas you're working on for the future or any final thoughts you'll like to share with our readers?
Darlene: In addition to PAMM, we have established El Espacio 23 (EE23), which is a private showroom to display our personal collection. We try to exhibit cutting-edge shows for the entire community to enjoy, particularly those for which art is not accessible. At EE23, there is no charge for admission, and we have established programs for the community and public schools.