The Newest Addition to the Digital Collection: Celebrity Shoes!
Autographed Memorabilia

3/1/23

By: M. M.

Did you know that you can find shoes from stars of music, entertainment, ballet and sports at the Miami-Dade Public Library System? That’s right. The Library’s Permanent Art Collection is the repository of autographed shoes by renowned figures who have spent significant parts of their lives and careers in the city of Miami. Their donated shoes were auctioned at a fundraising event called “Artist and Celebrity Shoe Auction at Main” that took place at Main Library back in 1999 to support the Library’s cultural programming and exhibitions.

These iconic shoes are now part of our Digital Collection and can be enjoyed in detail as three-dimensional models and high-resolution photographs.

Turquoise tassel loafers from Mambo legend Israel “Cachao” López Valdés, multi-Grammy Award-winning musician, bassist, composer and bandleader.

Combat boots of Grammy Award-winning and best-selling Latin music artist Jon Secada and gold sparkling high heels from television personality and talk show host Cristina Saralegui.

Ballet slippers from worldwide renowned ballet dancer and founding artistic director of the Miami City Ballet Edward Villella, prima ballerina Iliana López and ballerina Sally Ann Isaacks.

Ice skates from ice hockey goaltender Sean Burke who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), including several with the Florida Panthers.

The event also included artworks made with shoes like Shoe ‘Study for Character’ by the Cuban-American multidisciplinary artist, art activist and curator Cesar Trasobares.

Don’t miss these and other great finds available in our Digital Collections.