ARLENE CHAPLIN: The Artful Altruist

Yogart cofounder and Pérez Art Museum Miami Board of Trustees member Arlene Chaplin has made it her mission to fuse art, philanthropy, and fun in the Magic City. What drove you to become so involved in the community?

From an early age, I saw my parents getting involved with and caring about the city. My dad was one of the first developers in Brickell, and he also dreamed of people staying, living, and working in downtown. So being a part of PAMM is amazing for me because he always felt like our city needed an arts and cultural center and that it helps to create a community.

How do you find balance with all of your projects?

Yoga, which is why I started Yogart

(yogartevent.com). It’s exercise, but it helps your heart and soul, and I wanted to share that experience with others.

Yogart went from a two-timesa-year event to a monthly ritual connecting the community. How does that make you feel?

The heart of Yogart has always been about love. My two partners, Lee Brian Schrager and Dawn Feinberg, and myself all have something to share, but it’s all rooted in love and positive energy. And having [Yogart] events that people look forward to is incredibly rewarding. We’re planning on expanding to New York—stay tuned!

What has been your biggest struggle?

The number-one priority in my life is my children. I’m a mom first, then a wife, then hopefully a philanthropist. I want to be very loving and have an open relationship with my children, yet set guidelines and direct them on a great path. I think that if you give children good guidelines, then it’s a gift to the entire world, because having healthy children is very important for all of us.

PHILANTHROPY PHILOSOPHY: I always try to be the best person I can possibly be, and I apply that to every aspect of my life.