Composite made by Alexis in 2025 from an original Celia In Blue image taken in Tribeca, New York City, 1999.
The Coral Gables Museum is celebrating the 100th birthday of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, an honoring one of the most extraordinary artists of the 20th century.
The exhibition features photographs by Emmy Award®- winning duo Alexis Rodríguez-Duarte and Tico Torres. The Cuban-born, New York-based collaborators are known for editorial portraiture and cultural documentary projects, including the long-running “Cuba Out of Cuba” series.
Their portraits of Cruz reside in significant collections and continue to serve as a primary visual reference for the artist's memory.
Spanning more than a decade and a half, the collection includes the image "Yo soy de Cuba, la voz – Guantanamera," taken at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables, personal mementos such as her iconic shoes, and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes video footage. Together, these works provide a detailed visual archive of Cruz’s life both on and off stage.
¡Yo soy de Cuba la Voz - Guantanamera! by Alexis Rodriguez-Duarte in collaboration with Tico Torres. Fairchild Tropical Garden, Coral Gables, Florida 1994.
The exhibition offers a comprehensive look at Cruz’s career and cultural impact, showcasing the intimate and public sides of a performer whose music inspired generations. From vibrant portraits to personal artifacts, the collection underscores her role as a cultural icon whose influence continues to resonate in music, art, and popular culture.
“These photographs capture intimate moments with Celia and her husband, Pedro Knight a heartfelt tribute to the woman who reconnected us with our heritage,” according to the Rodriguez-Duarte and Tico Torres. “As Cuban exiles raised in Miami, Celia's voice was the soundtrack of our youth. It brought us back to our roots and filled us with pride every time she performed.”
Cruz’s legacy lives on in art and culture. She was the first Afro-Latina to appear on a US Mint commemorative coin, engraved with her battle cry ¡Azúcar!, and a Barbie doll inspired by her based on Rodriguez-Duarte and Torres’ photographs now pays tribute to her enduring influence.
Celia with Alexis, left, and Tico at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1997.
“We celebrate not only Celia's centenary, but also the immense gift she gave to the world. Her music and spirit united people in difficult times, inspiring love, pride, and resilience,” say the duo, who live and work in Greenwich Village, N.Y.
After leaving Cuba in 1960 following the revolution, Cruz built an international career known for her powerful voice, vibrant stage presence, and iconic exclamation ¡Azúcar! While she lived primarily in the northeastern United States later in life, Miami became a central hub for her music and cultural impact.
In 2023, the city of Miami Beach designed a port of Merdian Avenue as Celia Cruz Way.
Then Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber said at the dedication: We proudly announce the naming of a Miami Beach street after the incomparable Celia Cruz,” shared Mayor Dan Gelber. “She brought the world together with her music, and now her name will forever grace our city as a symbol of cultural richness.
Cruz died in Fort Lee, N.J., in 2003 at the age of 77.
Known for her elaborate stage costumes, some of which are part of the Smithsonian collections, Cruz recorded more than 90 albums and songs, earning five Grammy Awards in a career that spanned six decades.
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: Happy 100th Birthday Celia!
- WHEN: Closed Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Through Feb. 22.
- WHERE: Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables.
- Tickets: Members: Free; Adults: $15; Students/Seniors: $10; Children (7-12): $8; Children 6: Free admission; Military: Free admission.
- INFORMATION: (305) 603-8067 or www.coralgablesmuseum.org
