It is a topic that you do not hear about in the public sphere, but one that museums around the world invest in each time they move art objects for the purposes of sharing with other museums. Let me walk you through the process; it is behind-the-scenes work that you might not have imagined. WANT: […]
Shoe Business: Marisa Lawson from Knock Your Socks Off
We are checking in with our friends in local shoe-related businesses to find out how they got interested in shoes (or socks!), where the journey running a niche business has taken them, and what the future holds in a post COVID19 world. Marisa LAWSON ~ Knock Your Socks Off (KYSO) What is your background? What […]
Uncomfortable Histories: Leopold II’s Footwear
At the museum, most of our visitors are often delighted to see baby shoes on display because of their adorably diminutive size and because they function as reminders of the innocence of youth. However, this specific pair has a deeply problematic provenance. These shoes belonged to Léopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor who became Leopold II, […]
Shoe Business: dr. Liza Shoes
We are checking in with our friends in local shoe-related businesses to find out how they got interested in shoes, where the journey running a niche business has taken them, and what the future holds in a post COVID19 world. Sheila Knox, Head of Education and Programs poses the questions. Dr. Liza Egbogah ~ dr. […]
Shoe Business: Q&A with Jeff Churchill
We are checking in with our friends in shoe-related businesses to find out how they got interested in shoes, where the journey running a niche business has taken them, and what the future holds in a post COVID19 world. Sheila Knox, Head of Education and Programs poses the questions. Jeff Churchill ~ Jitterbug Boy Original […]
Working From Home Part 1
Due to the current situation of COVID-19, the BSM staff has been getting creative on how to bring you the BSM From Home! Our conservator, Ada, has turned her home office into a temporary work space! Find out more about the process in today’s blog post written by her. My plan was to continue conservation […]
In Need of Some Polish: Conservation of a Late 19th C Shoe Polish Box
Sometimes when a museum curator is planning an exhibition, they discover that there are artifacts needed to tell a story that are not yet part of the overall collection. This box was acquired by the BSM for just such a reason. It was purchased, along with its accompanying glass bottle containing remnants of black shoe polish, […]
Footwear and the Imperial Project
One of the most striking artefacts in the Bata Shoe Museum collection is this pair of 18th century women’s shoes. Their silhouette is European in style, but the upper is Indian-made. At first glance, these shoes seem to serve as examples of cultural exchange; a blending of Indian and European styles to create a beautiful […]
Conservation Blog: A Rare Shade of Green
This is a rare pair of shagreen leather riding shoes originating from 16th Century Persia. When they were acquired by the BSM in 2006 a large piece of leather was missing from one of the shoes. As well, both shoes had short tears on the quarters (the sides) and the vamps (the front upper sections). […]
Instagram Live Recap with Ron Wood
Thank you so much to everyone who tuned into our first Instagram Live! In case you missed it, our Creative Director & Senior Curator, Elizabeth Semmelhack had a fun chat with photographer, Ron Wood. Wood is a photographer and professor at OCAD University that has been working with the Bata Shoe Museum for years and […]