“Art needs to be generous,” declared Rosa de la Cruz, her vivid blue eyes sparkling with conviction. Here at the de la Cruz Collection, her words resonate through every gallery. Rosa, along with her husband Carlos, believed that art shouldn’t hide behind paywalls but should be accessible to all.
The de la Cruz Collection, housed in a 30,000-square-foot architectural marvel in Miami’s Design District, stands as a testament to their vision. It’s a space where renowned contemporary art finds a home and visitors find inspiration free of charge. The journey began back in 1975 when Rosa and Carlos, upon moving to Miami from Madrid, embarked on their art collecting adventure.
Initially drawn to Latin American artists, their scope soon expanded to encompass a global array of talent. Names like Isa Genzken, Christopher Wool, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Mark Bradford grace the walls, their works engaging in a silent dialogue that transcends borders and artistic styles. What you see here reflects not just an impressive art collection but a testament to the de la Cruzes’ belief in the transformative power of art.
Their legacy extends beyond the physical walls of the de la Cruz Collection. Their unwavering support for local artists, students, and institutions like the Pérez Art Museum Miami cemented their place as true patrons of the arts. Rosa’s vision, her generosity of spirit, lives on in the vibrant conversations sparked by each piece, in the quiet moments of contemplation, and in the hearts of every visitor fortunate enough to step foot in this artistic sanctuary.