Community Tours
2023-02-19 13:30 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | 327 Bloor St W, Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W7, Canada
Cost: Included with General Admission
Community tours invite visitors in the community to navigate the museum together with our docent volunteers. These 20 minute tours highlight individual shoes and themes created by our docents including but limited to shoes of status worn by kings and pharaohs, footwear and changing beauty ideals, 18th century economy and methods of collection. We will look at how objects are represented and interpreted through various knowledge and lived experiences within the context of a museum space. We invite participants of all ages, abilities and diverse backgrounds to join us in conversation around culture, humanity and footwear.
Location: Main Lobby
When: Sundays, February 19th to March 19th, starting at 1:30pm
Space is limited ~ first come, first serve. We encourage visitors to sign up upon arrival to the Museum at our admissions desk.
For any questions, please contact Angie Ma at angie.ma@batashoemuseum.ca or 416-979-7799 x 242.

Sock Mending Workshop
2023-02-19 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: $25/person
Friends of the BSM: $20/person
When: February 19 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Length: 2 hours total
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
In this workshop, participants will learn how to mend small holes in their socks with a woven darning technique. Please note: Participants will be required to bring their own socks for the workshop. All other materials will be provided.
BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in St. Crispin’s at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the B1 level). Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
Can’t make it on February 19? Camila will also be coming on March 5 for another sock mending workshop!
ABOUT THE HOST

Camila Salcedo is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and facilitator born in Venezuela and based in Tkaronto, working primarily in textiles, digital art and community art practices. Their work is centered around upcycling both materially by reusing and mending textiles, and digitally by appropriating found audio and video footage. Check out her website and Instagram for all her latest projects.

Holiday Cobbler Workshop
2022-12-28 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: Included with General Admission
When: Everyday from 10am to 4pm (Craft bags on January 1st)
Celebrate the holiday season with our shoe-themed games and crafts for kids and families. Create your own ice skate craft, DIY your own ski ornament, or make yourself a puzzle and so much more! Available for kids up to 12 years old.
For any questions, please email Angie Ma at angie.ma@batashoemumseum.ca or call at 416-979-7799 x 242.
Please note these are drop-in activities. No registration is required.

Family Day at the BSM
2023-02-20 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: Included with General Admission
Time: 10am to 4pm
Please note that all kids must be supervised.
Celebrate Family Day on Monday, February 20 with us! Throughout the Museum, we’re highlighting Black designers and creatives from our collection all month long as part of Black History Month. Check out Shantell Martin, George Sully and Billy Porter designs in our Behind the Scenes gallery as well as other incredible designers like Allyson Felix, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Salehe Bembury, and D’Wayne Edwards in our Future Now exhibition.
Create a family tree, build a shoe puzzle, make your own 3D-printed shoe, play iSpy around the galleries and so much more in our Arts & Crafts Zone. Enter to win a limited edition colouring book.
BUY TICKETS HERE

Uplifted: Art of Crochet
2023-02-25 13:00 - 15:00
Cost: $25/person
Friends of the BSM: $20/person
When: February 25 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Length: 2 hours total
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
Learn how to crochet for the first time or refresh your skills, while discovering innovative ways to create. In this workshop, Nigel John from Legin Knits will teach participants techniques to crochet their own shoelaces using a 3-step customization process. This workshop is for all ages and for any skill level!
BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in St. Crispin’s at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the B1 level). All materials and equipment will be provided. Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
ABOUT THE HOST

Nigel “Legin” John learned crochet from a Rasta man in San Fernando, Trinidad. His passion has allowed him to continue to grow, innovate, and expand his artistry through Legin Knits and Art Of Crochet. The focus on fashion is to make “Original” one of a kind pieces for collections and for personalized custom orders. He also adds crochet to already made items to renew into “Uplifted”(upcycled) pieces, giving them new life! Legin started teaching crochet to his friends and youth in his community immediately after learning. He felt the connection to passing this art form on, while building a business to open up opportunities for himself and others. When encountering individuals he taught, they always express their gratitude and strong belief that learning crochet gave them values that apply to their lives.

Sock Repurposing Workshop
2023-02-26 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: $25/person
Friends of the BSM: $20/person
When: February 26 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Length: 2 hours total
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
In this workshop participants will learn how to upcycle their old socks to create a new patchwork garment such as a bag, shorts, or a top with interdisciplinary artist Camila Salcedo. Please note: Participants will be required to bring their own socks for the workshop. All other materials will be provided.

BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in St. Crispin’s at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the B1 level). Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
Can’t make it on February 26? Camila will also be coming on March 19 for another sock repurposing workshop!
ABOUT THE HOST

Camila Salcedo is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and facilitator born in Venezuela and based in Tkaronto, working primarily in textiles, digital art and community art practices. Their work is centered around upcycling both materially by reusing and mending textiles, and digitally by appropriating found audio and video footage. Check out her website and Instagram for all her latest projects.

Sock Mending Workshop
2023-03-05 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: $25/person
Friends of the BSM: $20/person
When: February 19 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Length: 2 hours total
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
In this workshop, participants will learn how to mend small holes in their socks with a woven darning technique.
BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in St. Crispin’s at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the B1 level). All materials and equipment will be provided. Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
Can’t make it on February 19? Camila will also be coming on March 5 for another sock mending workshop!
ABOUT THE HOST

Camila Salcedo is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and facilitator born in Venezuela and based in Tkaronto, working primarily in textiles, digital art and community art practices. Their work is centered around upcycling both materially by reusing and mending textiles, and digitally by appropriating found audio and video footage. Check out her website and Instagram for all her latest projects.

Step into Nature ~ March Break at the BSM
2023-03-13 10:00 - 2023-03-18 16:00
Step into nature this March Break at the Bata Shoe Museum! Attend as a family to tour our current exhibitions and take part in new hands-on arts and crafts each day such as: make your own mini shoebox garden, decorate a take-home keychain, and design your necklace.
Dates: Monday, March 13 to Saturday, March 18
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: Throughout the Museum
Cost: $8 per child, $8 per adult
Take part in our new interactive activity Shoes of the World: An International Sustainable Trading Adventure. Learn about the importance of sustainability in the creation of footwear as you buy and trade materials with others to create a shoe design!
Dates: Wednesday, March 15 and Friday, March 17
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Location: Lower level
Cost: Included with March Break admission
Drop in and hang out with Nigel John from LEGIN Knits who will teach children how to tie their shoelaces in cool new ways!
Dates: Monday, March 13, Tuesday, March 14, and Saturday, March 18
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Location: Lower level
Cost: Included with March Break admission
Registration is not required for any activity or session listed above, but we recommend coming early as crafts and materials are limited.
Please note that coupons and library passes (MAP) are not valid during this special ticketed programming. All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note that these two exclusive events do not require registration and are drop-in only. Included with the special March Break pricing.
For more information, please contact our Education Assistant Angie Ma at 416-979-7799 x242 or angie.ma@batashoemuseum.ca.

Sock Repurposing Workshop
2023-03-19 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: $25/person
Friends of the BSM: $20/person
When: March 19 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Length: 2 hours total
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
In this workshop participants will learn how to upcycle their old socks to create a new patchwork garment such as a bag, shorts, or a top with interdisciplinary artist Camila Salcedo. Please note: Participants will be required to bring their own socks for the workshop. All other materials will be provided.

BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in St. Crispin’s at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the B1 level). All materials and equipment will be provided. Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
ABOUT THE HOST

Camila Salcedo is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and facilitator born in Venezuela and based in Tkaronto, working primarily in textiles, digital art and community art practices. Their work is centered around upcycling both materially by reusing and mending textiles, and digitally by appropriating found audio and video footage. Check out her website and Instagram for all her latest projects.

March Salon Series
2023-03-22 19:00 - 20:00
A Conversation with Kimberly M. Jenkins

Join us for a fascinating conversation on Wednesday, March 22 at 7pm EST with Kimberly Jenkins, founder of The Fashion and Race Database and Artis Solomon Consulting. Kimberly will give us more insight on the impact of our clothes and how we express ourselves, through the lenses of politics, race, psychology and anthropology and talk about her recent projects including her podcast The Invisible Seam as well as Rainbow Shoe Repair: An Unexpected Theater of Flyness, an exhibition co-curated alongside Brooke Nicholas and Ali Rosa-Salas that was presented at the Abrons Arts Center in 2020. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A by our Director & Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack.
RSVP HERE

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Kimberly Jenkins is founder of The Fashion and Race Database and Artis Solomon Consulting, having formerly held the position of Assistant Professor of Fashion Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University and lecturer at Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. She has spent over ten years studying the impact of our clothes and how we express ourselves, through the lenses of politics, race, psychology and anthropology. Kim has lectured globally, consulted major fashion brands and institutions and hosted in-person experiences to help us think more deeply about dress, history and culture.
Kimberly M. Jenkins has spent over ten years studying the impact of our clothes and how we express ourselves, through the lenses of politics, race, psychology and anthropology. She has lectured globally, presented exhibitions and hosted in-person experiences to help us think more deeply about dress. Based in New York with a background in fashion studies, cultural anthropology and art history, Kimberly is the founder and CEO of Artis Solomon, which offers a consultancy on fashion history and cultural awareness, and powers The Fashion and Race Database, a one of a kind learning platform that is supported by subscribing universities and museums globally. Most recently, she co-produced and hosted the podcast, The Invisible Seam, in partnership with Tommy Hilfiger, highlighting the underrepresented contributions Black culture to fashion. Kimberly formerly held the position of Assistant Professor of Fashion Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University and lecturer at Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. Kim is best known for introducing the course, Fashion and Race, at Parsons, and for working as an education consultant for Gucci in Europe and Asia to support their efforts on design and cultural awareness.

Moccasin-Making with the Manitobah Storyboot School
2023-03-25 12:00 - 2023-04-29 15:00
Cost: $180/person, FREE for Indigenous Youth and Young Adults (First Nation/Metis/Inuit ages 12-30 yrs)
When: Saturday, March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22 and April 29 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Length: 18 hours total
Where: Footprints Lecture Room at the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
Learn the traditional art of moccasin-making with expert Indigenous artisan Rosary Spence!
This workshop is designed to teach classic hand sewing techniques in beading and leatherwork. Rosary Spence will guide you through the steps of creating moccasins by hand including pattern-making, beadwork, design, construction and care for your finished product. Students will be provided with all the necessary tools to complete their project and guided through the process from start to finish. This is a course best suited for youth 12+ and adults.
Please show your QR code in your registration confirmation or give your name to our front desk when checking in. The workshop will be held in our Footprints lecture room located on the ground level.
BUY TICKETS HERE

Note: Please contact angie.ma@batashoemuseum.ca for any questions or concerns. If you’re interested in moccasin or mukluk-making workshops held by Storyboot School, you can directly contact them by emailing info@storyboots.ca for their list of future classes.

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

ABOUT ROSARY SPENCE:

Singer/ Song Writer, Rosary Spence is a musician and entrepreneur with a powerhouse of a voice, soulful Indigenous styles and innovative spirit. Born and on western shores of James Bay, Fort Albany First Nation, Mushkego Cree Territory, Spence strongly believes in the ability to heal our communities through the strength of the youth and the wisdom of our elders. Music has been a lifetime journey for Spence, singing since early childhood and playing an array of instruments since her early teens. Spence possesses an extensive background and experience as a designer, a performing artist, and an arts facilitator. Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, where she is raising her family, Spence also works in the social sector and is highly active within the arts community.

Limited Time Only
2023-04-06 10:00 - 2023-05-14 17:00
On View: Limited Time Only
In tandem with the release of Air: Courting a Legend, we’re excited to release our iconic, original Air Jordan for an exclusive short-term viewing from April 6 to May 14.
The first Air Jordan was a leather high-top designed by Peter Moore in the Chicago Bulls colours. When Michael Jordan debuted a prototype of his signature shoe during his 1984 rookie season, he was reprimanded by the NBA for not following its uniformity of uniforms rule. It was pure advertising gold, infusing both Jordan and his sneakers with the aura of rebellion. As a Nike commercial put it, “On October 15, Nike created a revolutionary new basketball shoe. On October 18, the NBA threw them out of the game. Fortunately, the NBA can’t keep you from wearing them.” The first Air Jordan made more than $100 million in the first ten months. Since the release of the first commercially available Air Jordan in 1985, there has been a new iteration every year, but the original Air Jordan remains one of the most popular sneakers ever created.

Felt Slipper Making Workshop
2023-05-06 12:30 - 2023-05-07 16:30
Cost: $80/per person
Friends of the BSM: $60/per person
When: May 6 and 7 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Length: 8 hours total (4 hours per class with a break included)
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
Learn how to create your own cozy slippers, and keep your toes warm all season long! Create a paper pattern, cut your pieces from industrial felt, and assemble with hand-sewing techniques. If you’re super keen, there will be embroidery floss and other embellishments so you can customize the uppers however you like. All materials for this workshop will be provided.
This 2-part workshop will take place in our Footprints lecture room at the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.) on May 6 and 7. Please present your ticket to our Front Desk when arriving. Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Space is limited to 10 participants and registration is required. Ticket sales end on May 5 at 4:30pm EST.
If there are any questions or concerns, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca. Refund requests must be submitted 48 hours before ticket start time.
REGISTER NOW
ABOUT THE HOST:

Allie Davis (they/them) is an Educator and textile artist with a passion for sustainability and upcycling. A self-labelled “dabbler”, Allie loves to try different crafts and believes strongly in the accessibility of hands-on learning. Their specialties are dyeing and mending, and they love to teach folks how to make and repair their own textiles so they will last many years.
Felt Slipper Inspiration

Terrarium Making Workshop
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30
Cost: $60/person
Friends of the BSM: $40/person
When: Saturday, May 13 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Length: 1.5 hours total
Where: Footprints Lecture Room at the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
In celebration of our upcoming exhibition In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear, the Bata Shoe Museum is excited to host terrarium making workshops with Alexandra Vella from Alexscapes! Celebrate nature by inviting a small piece of it into your home. In this workshop, participants will be able to make their very own terrarium inspired by wabi-sabi, the Japanese tradition of finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence and change.
Participants are welcome to bring their own plants to incorporate into their terrarium if they wish.

BUY YOUR TICKETS
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival.
This workshop will take place in-person in Footprints at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the ground level). All materials and equipment will be provided. Each ticket includes admission to the museum. Please arrive 5-15 minutes prior so that the workshop can begin on schedule. Limited spots available. If you no longer can attend and would like to request a refund, please email info@batashoemuseum.ca
ABOUT THE HOST

Based in Toronto, Alexscapes is driven by the natural world and aims to recreate its most inspiring elements in the home — Specializing in terrariums and aquascaping, Alex’s goal is to create a sense of peace and calm for people living in an urban landscape.
From Alex: So much of aquascaping is trying to manipulate the natural world, but we are always at the will of growth and the constantly changing evolution of nature. Nature itself is wabi sabi and beautifully imperfect. Wabi: to live a pared down life in tune with nature, while the fluid life of whatever is planted in it, exemplifies Sabi: or the passage of time. Showcasing terrarium plants within minimalist glass vessels embraces the imperfections of nature as a way to highlight the beauty in objects with history and life, appreciating the minor details and taking time to slow down. Bringing the beauty of nature into the home adds a life full of soul, and a beauty that celebrates the impermanence and the incomplete. It means living in a way that appreciates the beauty and the details of the mundane and encourages us to stop and appreciate the small things in life that we have a tendency to overlook.

May Salon Series
2023-05-24 15:00 - 16:00
A Conversation with Avalon Fotheringham

Join us for a fascinating conversation on Wednesday, May 24 at 3pm EST with Avalon Fotheringham, curator for the South Asian textiles and dress collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK to learn more about her career journey, her work in textiles and more. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A by our Director & Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack.
RSVP HERE

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Avalon Fotheringham is curator for the South Asian textiles and dress collection at the V&A. Trained as a textile artist before transitioning to textile history, she joined the V&A in 2014 as Research Assistant on the 2015 exhibition The Fabric of India, curated by Rosemary Crill and Divia Patel, and went on to become a curator in 2016. Since joining the museum she has published The Indian Textile Sourcebook: Patterns and Techniques, as well as essays and articles on Indian floral patterns, the impacts of colonialism on Indian dress, the history of beetle-wing embroidery, the Indian transition to synthetic dyes, and more. In 2021 she helped establish The V&A’s Karun Thakar Fund for the study of Asian and African textiles and dress, which supports students and independent researchers of Asian and African textiles and dress all over the world.

Doors Open 2023
2023-05-27 10:00 - 17:00
Over 140 buildings and sites across the GTA will open their doors to the public during the Doors Open weekend. We are so thrilled to be participating again this year. Admission is free all weekend.
The Bata Shoe Museum is North America’s only museum dedicated to exploring the history and cultural significance of footwear. Designed by Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, our award-winning five-story structure features a flagship showcase called “All About Shoes: Footwear Through the Ages”, thematically different and changing exhibitions, a retail shop, public spaces, and a private vault that protects an outstanding collection of 15,000 shoes and shoe-related objects. The shape of the museum was inspired by a shoebox with the roof acting as a slightly ajar lid. Visitors can see several unique touches throughout the building, including a sole-shaped front desk, a majestic art-glass installation by Lutz Haufschild, and iconic bronze features by Canadian sculptor Dora De Pédery-Hunt. Learn More

BSM Architecture
A “small gem of a museum” designed by Architect Raymond Moriyama
Learn More
