Curator’s Talk: Celebrating the Most Collaborated Sneakers
March 22, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: Included with General Admission
In conjunction with Art/Wear: Sneakers x Artists, this talk will explore the rich histories of some of the sneakers most commonly used in collaborations: the Converse All Star, Nike Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1 and the Van’s Slip-on. Far more than blank canvases, these famous sneakers carry stories of innovation, culture, and creativity that have made them icons in their own right and popular choices for collabs. Whether you’re a sneaker enthusiast or curious about the intersection of art and fashion, this talk will take you behind the scenes of some of the most influential sneakers ever created.
As Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum, Elizabeth applies her extensive cultural and art history background to guide the mission forward while exploring the multiple roles and meanings of footwear through innovative exhibitions. With over 20 exhibitions curated, Semmelhack has helped transform the Bata Shoe Museum into an internationally recognized center for footwear scholarship, revealing how shoes illuminate our understanding of diverse social, political, and cultural histories across time and geography.
Named by FASHION Magazine as one of the world’s “top five game-changing fashion curators”, Semmelhack’s perspective and expertise have been featured in major publications, broadcasts, and television shows across the globe. She has authored nearly 30 articles and chapters as well as numerous books and catalogs, including Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture (2015), which has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide.
Please review our Terms and Conditions in advance and check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Questions? Email us info@batashoemuseum.ca anytime.