The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto marks its 30th anniversary by launching an exhibition, 'Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot.' Elizabeth Semmelhack, the museum's director, reflects on the institution's history and its impact on the cultural landscape. Established in 1995 by Sonja Bata, the museum houses nearly 15,000 shoes and artifacts that reflect global footwear traditions. Irina Mihalache highlights the importance of the museum's resilience and adaptability, which leads to the celebration of this significant milestone. A free community day will accompany the new exhibit, which will be on display until October 2026.
Thinking back to when the museum began I think a lot of people were curious what a shoe museum would be like, and what kind of work it would do.
It's oftentimes challenging for smaller museums to survive and have anniversaries so it's a testament to the strength of the collection and the ability of the museum to adjust to the changes in the field and welcome new communities.
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