Miami, FL – January 15, 2025 – The Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) at MDC hosted an opening reception for Celia Cruz: Work, an exhibition that honors La Guarachera de Cuba. Born in 1925 in Havana, Cuba, Celia Cruz left her birth country in 1960. Already performing and making her name with La Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz became one of the most highly regarded singers, performing from Caracas to London and beyond. Known for her bold, emotional performances, Cruz embraced her Cuban heritage. She once stated, “In exile, I have learned to be Cuban in a way that might not have been possible if I had stayed in Cuba. I think being an exile has taught me to love my country even more.” Featuring video footage, posters, wigs and dresses, Celia Cruz: Work recognizes Cruz’s labor and her tireless commitment to her audiences who she loved to make “dance until dawn.” In 2025, MOAD honors Cruz as well as the centennial of Hialeah and the Freedom Tower. In doing so, MOAD celebrates its collective history and an extraordinary performer whose music plays a pivotal role in the soundtrack of Miami, the Caribbean, and globally.
Rene Ramos & Soraya Ramirez Galan
Maria Carla Chicuen
Maria Carla Chicuen & Soraya Ramirez Galan
Kimberly Green & Amy Galpin
Julia Trujillo & Rene Ramos
Gisselle Mestre Delgado & Yady Rivero
Georgette Perez & Omer Pardillo
Maria Carla Chicuen
Zoila De Yurre & Georgette Perez
Amanda Elena Brito
Rebeca Hoffman, Jennifer Weinberg, & Debby Taylor
Midifer Guerra & Claudio Pereyra
Amy Galpin, Amanda Elena Brito, & Omar Pardillo