Meet Celina Alvarez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Celina Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Celina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to create a safe and judgement free space for creatives in my area! I lived in kendal at the time and I felt like so much was happening in the more popular spots of Miami like Wynwood, and the beach. I envisioned a place where people could cultivate genuine connections, and could feel seen. I saw my pop-up at places outdoors, like at parks, and community centers. I wanted to host things like art markets, exhibitions, and spaces where people could make things.

Mainly wanted to create this for me, I felt that it was something that I needed to experience myself. I started my business in May of 2023, I had just moved back to Miami my home, from St. Petersburg FL. After graduating with my art degree in June of 2021 from the University Of South Florida I started working at an art gallery in their down town area as an art consultant. It was a huge transition but later became their top sales person. I discovered I could connect with others, but something else was missing. I missed art critiques, meeting with friends after class, and making art! I left and started fresh, needed that feeling of being part of something so I spread the word, attended other pop-ups and continued creating that for others, I figured i wasn’t the only one!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art sits in the every day, my work currently reflects me in my current state. I recently started a series of drawings called “messages” that express the way I see the world, each one capturing a moment in time, messages from the universe, visual images I see in my head when something captures all of my attention. Images that come when reading, and portals to never ending delight. These drawings make up feelings, and interpretations, they are not intensely thought out, they just are. They are what appears and translated onto paper, some exactly as pictured and some needs of release. All interpretations impressions on me, of me.

I am definitely excited about experimenting, trying new things or learning new way of creating, layering, or transcribing. A lot of trial and error, a lot of starting again with out fear, and with fear. Wether I start a new path in life or a new piece of art. Still feeling like so much needs to shift and grow along the way but feeling proud of what has happened. A lot of day dreaming and aspiring for something greater while loving where I currently reside.

Easy is talking to others, making connections, talking about new projects or what they are struggling with. I have overcome challenges through kindness, love and compassion for myself. Allowing my self to accept what is and love what is in any situation. Having this inner know that I can get through anything, all is temporary, and the only way out is through. That what is for me with not pass. I enjoy, yoga, meditation, drinking lots calming teas, I know that when I am calm, focused I can make the best decisions for my self and the greater collective.

I have leaned that play is at the heart of my creativity, the act of just starting, meeting myself where I am at and continuing to transmute ideas is where I am the happiest That is how I generate new ideas. I have learned that art is never perfect, never one thing, but always a reflection, a way of living life, it is noticing, it is wonder. My art is the world being filtered through me, and the same goes for all people who create, though my art and my brand I wish to encourage play through the act of creating. In what ever way that looks like. I noticed that I wasn’t the only one in need of connecting! It brings me purpose, and the more I do it the more I see the need for it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first I would take them to “Cafe Grumpy” in Coral Gables for some yummy coffee, then to “Book & Books” in Coral Gables as well for a book haul. After we would go to the beach, and have some lunch and “Mister 01” then go shopping at the “Good Will” in little Havana and end up at “Ball and Chain” for dancing and margaritas!

My favorite places to eat in Miami are “Bar Taco” in the Grove, “Robert is Here” for smoothies in Homestead, and “Miyako Japanese Restaurant” in South Miami for sushi.

For drinks I love going to “Barracudas” and “Level 6 Rooftop bar” in the Grove, I also love going to “Foxes Lounge” in South Miami.

Places to visit for sure Vizcaya, Fairchild Gardens, and lastly the PAMM!

Places to hang out are anywhere outside, Flamingo Plaza where you can thrift your life away, and ArtWorks Associates a sweet little art studio located in the Bird Road art district where you can do figure drawing! Their Instagram is @artworksassociates for session days/ times.

Lastly my favorite place to do yoga is at Flow State Studios also located in the Bird Road Art District! They are a non-profit where you can do yoga on a donation bases Thursdays at 8am & 7pm!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Ray Morales. He is the ceramics professor at the Miami Dade College Kendal Campus. He is an incredible person, artist, and mentor. His passion for creation, play, and meticulous nature inspired me in collage and till this day continues to inspire me. So much of who I am today is because of him.

Instagram: @palmasdeluna

Facebook: @palmasdeluna

Image Credits
@thenymphilm, @german_d_alfaro, @celinamalvarez