Find a tribute to the art, passion and impact of philanthropist Rosa de la Cruz
The de la Cruz Collection with billboard by Félix Gonzâlez-Torres
Rosa de la Cruz’s eyes sparkled when she spoke about her contemporary art collection. This 60+ yearlong passion has amassed over 1,000 artworks chiefly on view at the celebrated de la Cruz Collection ‘museum’ established by Rosa and her husband Carlos in the Miami Design District in 2009. The building façade features a billboard by Félix Gonzâlez-Torres, an artist whom Rosa and Carlos connected with both for his conceptual rigor and shared Cuban American origins. Previously, the couple established The Moore Space for experimental projects and opened their Key Biscayne home annually to hundreds of Art Basel Miami Beach visitors. Rosa de la Cruz’s passing on Feb. 27 at age 81 bestows a legacy of unsurpassed art knowledge and a devotion to sharing it.
Portrait of Rosa de la Cruz. PHOTO COURTESYOF DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION
“Alongside her husband Carlos, Rosa worked to redefine how art is experienced and shared, blurring the boundaries between public and private in sharing their home and collection with the international community at large,” explains Melissa Wallen, executive director of the de la Cruz Collection.
Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz with artist Jim Hodges PORTRAIT BY SARAH A. FREIDMAN, COURTESY OF DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION
Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz moved from Cuba to Philadelphia and Madrid, settling in Miami in 1975. Carlos grew his wealth within the beverage industry and holds the Chair role of beverage distributor CC1 Companies, Inc. The couple built their art collection together, traveling and meeting artists, yet Rosa’s passion defined its conceptual and sociopolitical rationale. Set apart from other private collectors, Rosa insisted the de la Cruz Collection have free entry and dedicated personal funds to travel Design and Architecture Senior High and New World School of the Arts students to major international art events.
An early photo of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz with artist Félix Gonzâlez-Torres PORTRAIT BY SARAH A. FREIDMAN, COURTESY OF DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION
Former New World School of the Arts Dean Maggy Cuesta imparts, “Rosa’s generosity and dedication is incomparable. She offered students opportunities that profoundly changed how they think, work and view other cultures. The contemporary work and historical references they witnessed impacted these young artists in ways that cannot be measured.”
Melissa Wallen continues, “Rosa’s legacy and vision are a testament to the transformative impact of art to profoundly shape a city. She will be deeply missed.”
Photography by: Photo Courtesy: De La Cruz Collection
