Elizabeth Semmelhack from the Bata Shoe Museum: It has been a remarkable 30 years

Over the past three decades, the Bata Shoe Museum, located in Toronto, Canada, has grown from an ambitious concept into a well-regarded institution recognised for its extensive collection and research. Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator at the museum, leverages her expertise in cultural art history to fulfil the museum’s mission, showcasing the diverse roles and significance of footwear through dynamic and thought-provoking exhibitions.

“The museum’s mandate—to tell the history of humanity through footwear—has proved to be a very generous framework allowing us to explore with a wide range of issues and ideas… we have done numerous cutting-edge exhibitions and publications that have challenged the public’s perception of what we wear and why”, she notes.

To mark its 30^th anniversary in 2025, the Bata Shoe Museum has planned a year-long series of exhibitions from May 2025 to May 2026, each accompanied by a diverse programme of events.

“The kick-off exhibition, for our anniversary in May, will be Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot. This exhibition is very much in keeping with our tradition of investigating the cultural meanings of iconic footwear”, Semmelhack shares. Since the late 19^th century, cowboy boots have represented both labour and leisure, freedom and authority, and tradition and reinvention. This exhibition explores how these contrasting meanings have shaped the perception of cowboy boots over time.

“The fall exhibition will be the first exhibition ever on the work of 20^th-century shoe designer Andre Perugia”, the Director revealed. This exhibition will highlight Perugia’s pioneering role in fashion history, showcasing his innovative designs and use of unconventional materials. It will also trace how his creative influence continues to shape contemporary luxury footwear.

The final exhibition, set for spring 2026, will be a collaboration with the Vindolanda Trust in England, focusing on Roman footwear and featuring examples excavated from Vindolanda. Through these ancient shoes, “the story of life at the outer reaches of the Roman Empire will be explored”, Semmelhack highlights.

Currently active, the “Art/Wear: Sneakers x Artists exhibition explores how artist-sneaker collaborations are blurring the lines between art, fashion, and commerce and offering consumers the opportunity to buy and wear creations by some of the most revered figures in the art world today”. It also highlights how these sneakers are increasingly recognised as collectors’ items, finding a place in museums and auction houses, much like limited-edition artist prints.

Through this exploration, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider the evolving definition of art. By showcasing how sneakers serve as both commercial products and artistic statements, “my hope is that this exhibition will contribute to the ongoing discussion of what defines art today”, the Director shares.

“Over the next ten years, I hope that the museum will continue to evolve, adding even more history and knowledge to its growing collection, which, in turn, will be shared with the public in meaningful ways. Community engagement and knowledge will be central to this work”, Semmelhack highlights.

A key milestone in this journey will be the renovation of the museum’s permanent gallery, named All About Shoes. This update will offer a fresh perspective on the collection, allowing visitors to explore the footwear history in new and dynamic ways. As the museum moves toward its 40^th anniversary, it remains committed to innovation and education, ensuring that its exhibitions will continue to captivate and inform audiences for years to come.