InterContinental Miami Partners with collaboARTive's Noche de Arte Program to Host Special Exhibition Honoring Celia Cruz's Centennial for Hispanic Heritage Month
Presented by the MIAMI Shoe Museum in collaboration with the Celia Cruz Foundation and collaboARTive
Miami, FL, August 2025 – InterContinental Miami, in partnership with collaboARTive's acclaimed weekly Noche de Arte program, will host Dancing Shoes: A Legacy in Motion, a special exhibition this October in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the centennial celebration of Celia Cruz. This collaboration transforms the hotel's Gallery 100 into a dynamic cultural hub, building on the success of collaboARTive's four-year partnership with InterContinental Miami that began when Noche de Arte launched in the hotel's lobby in March 2022.
Curated by Luis Valenzuela, founder of the MIAMI Shoe Museum, the exhibition will spotlight one of the most iconic elements of the Queen of Salsa's legendary style: her bold and gravity-defying cantilever shoes. The month-long celebration seamlessly integrates with collaboARTive's established Noche de Arte programming, which has welcomed over 3,500 attendees and generated a significant economic impact for downtown Miami since its launch at InterContinental Miami in March 2022.
The display will feature original cantilever-style shoes designed by Mexican designer Nieto between the 1960s and 1970s, which Celia Cruz wore throughout her life. Presented in collaboration with the Celia Cruz Foundation, the exhibition will also debut the five winning designs from the MIAMI Vibes 2.0: AI Footwear Design Challenge by MSM Projects. The winning designers, Franziska Valerie Hagenauer, Sara Alimohammadi, Amaranta Martinez, Wildy Martinez, Lucia Rabey, and Jessica de Vreeze, will have their visionary creations displayed alongside Celia’s original pieces. This second edition of the challenge invited participants from around the globe to reimagine Celia's original cantilever style through AI-assisted design.
The exhibition includes a special project, Celiagrama – Celia Vive!, by Silvio Frank Pupo-Casco and Juan Carlos Gallo from ARtWalk.Miami.
collaboARTive empowers emerging and mid-career artists by providing affordable studio spaces and fostering creative community. Through a growing network of benefactors and patrons, curated programming, professional development opportunities, and strategic partnerships, collaboARTive cultivates an independent ecosystem where artists thrive economically and artistically, thereby strengthening the local cultural landscape.
Location: InterContinental Miami, 100 Gallery.
The exhibit will run from October 7 to 28.
Hours 12 M to 8 PM
Program Highlights
Monday, October 6
Press and MSM Platinum Members Preview by invitation only, 4 - 6 PM
Open to the Public 6 - 8 PM
Be part of a spectacular Opening Night for Celia Cruz: Dancing Shoes: A Legacy in Motion! The artists and curator behind the featured works will be present to welcome visitors and share the stories behind the exhibition. Guests will also have the chance to get creative by reimagining Celia Cruz’s legendary cantilever shoe with craft materials, an invitation to explore the vibrant mix of heritage and innovation that defines this show.
Monday, October 13
Experience the intersection of art, fashion, and AI with Superama and Wildy Martinez, winners of the MIAMI Vibes AI Footwear Design Challenge. Guests are invited to reimagine Celia Cruz’s legendary cantilever shoe using craft materials and create unique collage postcards to take home.
Monday, October 20 – Centennial Celebration
Celebrate Celia Cruz’s 100th Birthday with us! As part of the month-long exhibition, we’ll honor her centennial (10/21/25) with cake, music, and a giant community “birthday card” created by visitors using art materials. A festive tribute to La Reina de la Salsa!
Monday, October 27 – Artists Activation Day
Close the month with a special collaboARTive session. Miami artists and community guests will come together to sketch, reinterpret, and celebrate Celia Cruz’s iconic cantilever shoe, keeping her creative legacy alive through art.
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited. RSVP recommended: contact@miamishoemuseum.org
For Press and Curatorial tours inquiere : contact@miamishoemuseum.org
100, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL
Noche de Arte Programming: Every Monday, 6:00-8:00 PM (Free and open to the public)