Celia Cruz: Work

Celia Cruz: Work is 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, we honor Cruz as well as the centennial of Hialeah and the Freedom Tower. In doing so, we celebrate our collective history and an extraordinary performer whose music plays a pivotal role in the soundtrack of Miami, the Caribbean, and globally.

MOAD's programs are made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. They are sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, and with generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Miami Herald is a media sponsor of MOAD's programming.