A New Bloom in the Desert: Ribbon Cutting Unveils Deriva Floral on Museum Way

On Wednesday, October 15, Palm Springs awoke to a new kind of beauty—36 handcrafted flowers, suspended in vibrant color and shimmering in the desert light, now grace Museum Way as part of the Deriva Floral installation. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked more than the unveiling of art—it celebrated a connection between communities, creativity, and possibility.

City officials and representatives from Palm Springs Sister Cities and the city of San Miguel de Allende cut a ceremonial ribbon Wednesday along Museum Way.

A Moment Less Than 100 Days in the Making!

Less than one hundred days ago, the idea was just a vision. From a handshake between mayors to a full-scale art installation, Deriva Floral was realized in record time. The City of Palm Springs officially installed the exhibit beginning October 8, leading up to today’s unveiling.

Speakers—including Mayor Ron deHarte, Mayor ProTem Naomi Soto, City Council Member (and former Mayor) Jeffrey Bernstein, Director of Toursim from San Miguel de Allende Tania Castillo, and Gary Armstrong, President of Palm Springs Sister Cities—praised the installation as a gesture of cross-border friendship.

NBC Palm Springs covered the moment, highlighting how the piece reflects San Miguel’s vibrant artistic heritage and reinforces cross-cultural unity.

KESQ Channel 3 noted the bright colors and cultural significance, emphasizing that Deriva Floral is more than decoration—it’s a message of unity and shared humanity.

The Palm Springs Post noted that the project was funded entirely by San Miguel de Allende as what officials described as a gesture of cultural diplomacy and friendship between the two cities.

With the “Deriva Floral” art installation behind her, Tania Castillo, tourism director for San Miguel de Allende, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.

The Art & the Artist

Created by Daniel “Mestiz” Valero of Mestiz studio in San Miguel de Allende, Deriva Floral is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation. The artist combined ancestral craft with bold, contemporary design to produce 36 suspended petals and 6 grounded blossoms, each hand-woven in tones of red and pink that evoke San Miguel’s signature palette.

In placing this installation in Palm Springs, the piece draws a bridge between the stark, sunlit desert and the colorful, colonial heart of San Miguel—a union of two artistic landscapes.

What the Deriva Floral Ceremony Signaled

The ribbon cutting was more than a public event—it was affirmation: that cultural exchange thrives when cities act, when artists risk, and when communities open their hearts. The installation will remain open through November, offering residents and visitors a chance to walk among these soaring florals as the sun changes and shadows dance across their forms.

What Comes Next — Your Invitation to Participate

As we bask in the success of today, the mission continues. This installation is the stage, but the performance belongs to all of us.

• Stop by Museum Way — bring friends, take your time with the art, let it speak to you.

• Share the story—tag your photos with #DerivaFloral, #SisterCities, #ArtWithoutBorders.

• Support the mission: your donation helps fund student exchanges, cultural programming, and the deepening of ties between Palm Springs and San Miguel de Allende.

• Attend our upcoming Velvet Visions fundraiser—celebration, art, and impact combined in one unforgettable evening. Tickets are on sale for $50 and the event is being hosted at the Boutique Velvet Rope Hotel this Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. Your ticket price includes a welcome cocktail, live entertainment, and delicious appetizers plus a silent auction.

Thank you to everyone who believed that art could cross borders—and to those who will help it stay alive beyond these petals.

With gratitude and excitement,— Palm Springs Sister Cities Committee.

Video courtesy of the City of Palm Springs