My Palace in Dallas: Carolina Alvarez-Mathies

Carolina in her amazing space sipping on Prosecco on a Saturday afternoon.

“Solitude requires you to move past reacting to information created by other people and focus instead on your own thoughts and experiences – wherever you happened to be”

— Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism

I would like to start by saying thank you to everyone who took their time to read my poorly structured interviews, the love I’ve gotten has been unexpected and I am forever grateful for y’all. As I have stated in the previous article, it is now Aug of 2021 and the gangs are vaxed and waxed and ready to get back out there safely (Thank you, Dolly Parton). I continue to wonder, what have I accomplished this year? What random yet basic habit have I picked up on? Sourdough starters? Day drinking? Gained the quarantine 15? Learned how to give myself a haircut? Aside from all these things that helped that endless void in my heart, I’d like to believe I came out of this quarantine experience stronger and being able to appreciate the chance for total solitude.

This is the exact idea that gave birth to this project, I want to know, I want to see, more importantly, I want to document what the people around me have become after this unprecedented year, they can be artists, comedians and they can also be the people you meet daily on the street (which is quite hard cause apparently people in Dallas don’t walk at all). What is it that they do? What are their stories and what does their Palace in Dallas look like?

Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Carolina. She is an amazing taste tycoon I had the honor to call a friend, as a deputy director of Dallas Contemporary we had many shared interests and views on all things pretty ad I hope you will enjoy her story as well as I did.

Hello love, thank you for having the time and sit down with me for this little chat! Before I start grilling you about what cup you use or what cushion you love, can you tell the readers about yourself?

James, so excited to be chatting with such a dear friend, thank you for the opportunity. My name is Carolina Alvarez-Mathies and I am Deputy Director at Dallas Contemporary.

For someone having so many experiences in art and creative background, would you mind telling me how you got to where you are? What was the colorful journey for you?

Absolutely! I was born and raised in El Salvador. My education brought me to the United States in my teenage years. I lived in Connecticut for a bit then moved to Fort Worth to attend Texas Christain University. After university, I was hired by the Venezuelan fashion designer Angel Sanchez in NYC as his press director which was WILD because I felt so young to have that amount of responsibility. I was fresh out of school and I am so grateful that he saw my raw potential and took a big chance on me.

I learned so much from that experience, from refining my eye to creative + art directing, casting, styling, producing fashion shows and of course taking care of VIP/celeb clients. The company was fairly small and I had so much opportunity to learn about every aspect of the business. While at Angel Sanchez I got to know El Museo del Barrio. I was one of the founders of their junior board, eventually, I became their Head of Communications. Later on, I became close friends with Cristina Grajales who is a mentor and a very dear friend. She introduced me to Creative Time, where I was Director of External Affairs. Several incredible projects later, I left New York after hitting my 11-year mark -- I lived in Zurich and El Salvador and then ended up back in Dallas for a TCU football game. That weekend I met with the team at Dallas Contemporary and it just felt right from the start!

Since neither of us are Dallas locals, would you mind telling me what brought you to Dallas? Most importantly, how do you feel about this city? Do you like it here?

Dallas has always felt like home to me. I didn’t think twice about moving here when the opportunity presented itself. I have been fortunate to meet a wide array of creatives in a variety of disciplines that have quickly become wonderful friends. It was not easy to move just before the pandemic, but Dallas has been so welcoming.

In my opinion, Dallas is a city that’s not given enough credit for the immense amount of artistry, creativity, and talent it has. It’s been a bit overlooked and we are starting to see that change. I think we are going to see Dallas come into the mainframe in a big way — there are so many eyes on this city and it just keeps growing, it’s an exciting time for sure. Every time I blink there’s a newness in art, cuisine, music, and hospitality!

I know that you have in-depth knowledge of art and being in the art industry, what makes Dallas stand out in your opinion? And among all the cities you’ve stayed in what makes Dallas the place for you to set up shop in?

From a career perspective, NYC was my school, I learned so much there, when it was time to make a change I wanted a city that I could keep growing and learning in but also a place where I could make an impact. Dallas is that city for me. The level of commitment of individuals and art patrons really makes Dallas stand out, it’s civic-mindedness is unparalleled. I have great respect and admiration for the philanthropic engagement in Texas.
Texans are really proud of their heritage and legacy (as they should be) and culture is a big part of that. They do a great job of making sure the arts are pillars of their cities.

For someone like you with such great taste, how would you say is your usual source of inspiration and what gets you going every day?

Definitely travel! I love exploring new cultures, meeting new people, it’s my greatest source of inspiration and it links to my second, food. Since I was young I’ve been curious to explore new flavors and how different cultures utilize ingredients -- cuisine is such a powerful tool of expression, much like art. One could say most of my travel is actually food and/or art-related. I love places that give me a sensory overload - so different tastes, sceneries, the smell of the city, color and texture are all sources of inspiration to me.

**Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by how many things out there yet for you to be discovered or to keep up with the everchanging/constant updating world of art and creativity?**

100%, I think there is just so much talent out there across disciplines, it can be overwhelming but it's also incredibly inspiring. Curiosity is certainly a prerequisite in the creative field. Hopefully, that never changes, a world with a lack of creative outlets seems like a dire proposition.

Last year has proven to be quite a journey for all of us, has it affected you in any way? How did you manage to stay happy or emotionally afloat throughout? What got you through it?

I moved to Dallas in December 2019 -- so just a few months prior to lockdown. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had a pre-existing network of friends here. My place was completely unfurnished, so I moved in with my best friend and his family -- they were my saving grace. After lockdown I started to meet more people -- it really has been the openness and generosity of Texans that had made this such a wonderful experience.

My role at DC also has had a huge impact. I came into my position and just a few months after we had to temporarily close. The leadership challenges were huge - my team was just starting to get to know me and my work style and of course I them. It took a lot of trust and dedication on their part -- we came together quickly and pivoted to new ways of engaging audiences and of course new revenue sources. We certainly are resilient and I’d like to think we are so much stronger now having had that experience.

(Secret hobby reveal: I also start making daisy chain necklaces! I sit in my living room and just stayed in during quarantine, and I still make them now!)

I have been nothing but in awe with all the things you’ve shared on your stories or grid, with the exposure to all things wonderful and tasteful, what would you say is your prized or favorite possession in the house?

Ohh my books, they tell a story of what I am interested in, what I have seen… My family photos as well, seeing the faces of those I love fills me with joy

I’ve always been a big fan of you hanging out around and just seeing you in action is just as amazing, now my question is this: if you could give someone who wishes to do the thing that you do, what advice would you give to them? Or to your younger self.

Perseverance, to never give up -- got that from my dad. You’re going to be told NO several times in your journey and it can't make you quit, my biggest advice is to just keep doing you. And with that, to always nurture your own voice, even in moments of doubt to trust your gut, to be true to your moral compass. Our own voice, our word, is the most valuable thing we have.

I think it’s something we eventually grow into, that confidence in ourselves - I still struggle with it sometimes. It’s a constant reminder for me to speak up, to not be afraid to take up space in a room. I always tell myself to continue to be generous, curious, and kind, to others but also to myself. Self love and self-care are important.