CELEBRATE BATA SHOE MUSEUM’S 30 YEARS WITH A NEW EXHIBITION
ROUGH & READY: A HISTORY OF THE COWBOY BOOT
Bata Shoe Museum Commemorates 30 Years with New Western Exhibition
TORONTO, ON (Wednesday, April 16, 2025) – Celebrating 30 years, the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM) is debuting a new public exhibition titled Rough & Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot on May 7th which explores the story of the cowboy boot craftsmanship, symbolism, and its cultural transformation from the nineteenth century to today.
“We are excited to unveil Rough & Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot to commemorate 30 years at the Bata Shoe Museum. The Museum has a fascinating history of sharing stories of deep cultural importance and we are proud to continue this tradition with this new exhibition,” says Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum. “It’s not always known that the origins of the cowboy boot stretch far beyond the American West, including innovations developed in Asia, Spain, North Africa, and present-day Mexico. Since their invention in the late nineteenth century, cowboy boots have embodied contradiction. They have symbolized labour and leisure, freedom and domination, as well as resistance and reclamation. Whether worn in the saddle, on screen, or in the streets, cowboy boots are a cultural touchstone, embodying both tradition and transformation in a constantly changing world.”
Rough & Ready is curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, including objects and artworks from the BSM collection and 13 lenders. Lenders include: Adam Goeglein, Autry Museum of the American West, Barry Ace, Erik Semmelhack, Flora Knight, The Glenbow-Alberta Institute, Jamie Cuevas Nudie, Lee Miller, Lisa Sorrell, Lucchese Bootmaker, Orville Peck, Sarah Madeleine T. Guerin, and Tony Benattar.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ROUGH & READY THROUGH THE DECADES
The Rough & Ready exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum centres on the rugged, decorative, and rebellious spirit of cowboy boots through history and pop culture. From practical and complex origins to bold fashion statements, the exhibition traces the evolution of this iconic footwear.
● Early Heels –18th-century Persian riding shoes showcase the functional origin of heels, which influenced cowboy boot design in Europe and beyond.
● First Cowboy Boots – Early cowboy boots from the 1890s reveal design innovations like higher heels and machine stitching to the boot tops which was both functional and decorative.
● Canadian Made – Canadian-made cowboy boots from the early 1920s were worn in Calgary Stampede parades and were designed with tulips made famous by cowboy film star Tom Mix. The boots were made by Calgary-based Riley & McCormick Co. Ltd who specialized in custom-made saddles, boots and other leather goods.
● Butterflies & Flowers – In the 1930s cowboy boots adorned with vibrant floral and butterfly inlays and overlays were extremely popular. The men’s pair shows how cowboy boots became a canvas for creativity.
● Gene Autry’s Boots – A dazzling mid-1930s pair designed for the Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry, who famously collected custom boots. One of his favourites being a blue bird pattern designed by Olsen-Stelzer boots.
● Postwar Elegance – A richly detailed pair from the late 1940s featuring Renaissance-inspired blossoms and gilded leather, was likely crafted by LA’s Stewart-Romero.
● Bootmaker Legend – Includes a pair of boots by Charlie Dunn, one of the most respected names in the craft, featuring his signature yellow leather roses commissioned in 1983 for the wife of a Dallas lawyer.
● Courtside Statement – Founded by Marty Snortum in 1989, the flashy, custom Rocketbuster Boots made for Dallas Mavericks superfan Don Knobler, reflected the modern flair of Western fashion.
● Canadian Rock & Roll Western – A bold, early-2000s pair by Liberty Boots, blends tradition with edgy design to attract edgier crowds such as rock stars and country icons.
● Orville Peck’s Bespoke Pair – Created in 2024 by Emily Bokesnbaum, these custom boots made for Canadian country musician Orville Peck, are meant to complement and embody the artist’s unapologetic persona, dramatic style and bold interpretation of Western fashion.
● Dreaming of Indigenous Futures – Showcases the sculptural assemblage Gwiiwzens Dreamed of Spirit Horses by renowned Anishinaabe (Odawa) multidisciplinary artist, Barry Ace, featuring his signature electronic component and glass bead medicine flower motifs.
PROGRAMMING
Celebrating 30 Years: Community Day – May 11, 12:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m
The Bata Shoe Museum is inviting friends and family to a free Community Day to honour its 30-year milestone and to mark the opening of its spring exhibition Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot. Visitors will experience a day of wild Western-themed activities, exhibition tours, performances, games, and self-guided hands-on cowboy crafts. The day will include an exciting Rhinestone Rodeo Show blending dazzling circus acrobatics with cowboy charm, and kids will have a chance to try out a kid-friendly mechanical bull. Doors open at noon with rodeo shows beginning at 1 p.m and 3 p.m. Guided tours are available every hour starting at 12:30 p.m and crafts and games are from noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Country Music Trivia – May 27, 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m
Visitors can saddle up and test their knowledge of all things country music from new music to classic hits such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Kacey Musgraves. The event is from 7 p.m to 9 p.m on May 27. General admission tickets are $25 which includes access to all current exhibitions.
Hoedown at the BSM: Pride Party – June 6, 7:00 p.m – 11:00 p.m
In collaboration with Steers & Queers and Spurs, the Museum will host a Wild West-themed Pride Party with dazzling performances by Selena Vyle, Lucinda Miu, and Fluffy Soufflé. To keep the good vibes going, there will also be musical beats by DJ Sigourney Beaver and of course, snacks and drinks available for purchase. This event is 19+ and is from 7 p.m to 11 p.m on June 6. General admission tickets are $30 each and $100 for a 4-pack which includes access to all current exhibitions.
Outlaws and Allies: Cowboys and Queer Culture Panel Discussion – June 19, 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m
This panel discussion will address the intersectionality of cowboy traditions and queer identities, hidden histories of queer cowboys, cowboy symbolism in queer culture, and the rich and often overlooked narratives of LGBTQ+ individuals within the iconic cowboy lifestyle. Moderated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, BSM Director and Curator of Rough and Ready, expert panelists included Joseph (J) Shea-Carter, adjunct professor of English and Culture,University of Guelph and Brock University, and Lauren Hortie, artist and leader of the popular long-running event Steers & Queers Gay Ole Opry. The panel will be on June 19 from 7 p.m to 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $15 each which includes access to all current exhibitions.
Media Preview for Rough & Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot
May 5, 2025 – 11 AM -1 PM
Register to the preview by emailing breanna@dmpublic.com
Hours of Operations
Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM
General Admission to the BSM is free on Sundays.
Click to access the Rough & Ready media kit
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ABOUT THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM
With a growing international collection of nearly 15,000 shoes and related artifacts, the Bata Shoe Museum showcases 4,500 years of footwear history in four distinctive rotating galleries. Through the creation of its innovative exhibitions, the BSM strives to enlighten and entertain visitors of all ages. For every shoe, there’s a story.
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For more information, media accreditation or interviews please contact:
Deanne Moser
DMPUBLIC
deanne@dmpublic.com
1-647-888-9388
Sarah Power
Head of Marketing & Communications,
Bata Shoe Museum
sarah.power@batashoemuseum.ca
416-979-7799 x225