The Bata Shoe Museum is delighted to announce the release of its newest online exhibition Boots & Blades: The Story of Canadian Figure Skating. Developed with funding from the Digital Museums Canada investment program, Boots & Blades explores both the artistry and athleticism of this thrilling sport, from its early beginnings in the 1600s to the present in Canada.

Project Lead Suzanne Petersen and Creative Producer Astra Burka, with partners Skate Canada, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and a team of advisors, including Yvonne Butorac, Joyce Hisey, Maria Jelinek, Elizabeth Knebli, Wilf Langevin, Carole Pixley and Ann Shaw, produced this interactive retrospective experience to appeal and delight audiences of all ages. Designed by award-winning Akufen Studio in Montreal, over 390 artefacts, representing 400 years of history have been selected to tell the myriad stories of figure skating, drawing on collections from the Bata Shoe Museum, Skate Canada, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and private collectors.

The interactive virtual exhibition is divided into seven parts: Age of Discovery (1600 to 1860); Innovation (1860 to 1920); Form Follows Function (1920 to 1945); Age of Internationalism (1945 to 1965); Artistic Revolution (1965 to 1985); Athleticism Meets Artistry (1985 to 2005); and Globalization (2005 to 2022). Using text, photographs, images, video, audio and user interface technology, audiences will not only be inspired by the athleticism and endurance expressed by the athletes, but also the incredible innovation and creativity illustrated through boots, blades, movement, music and costume.  With a strong educational component and connection to the school curriculum, the virtual exhibition also offers school age children the opportunity to learn about the making of this captivating sport that plays such a prominent role in Canadian life.

A fascinating interactive experience that draws on all of the senses, Boots & Blades: The Story of Canadian Figure Skating is essential for anyone who has ever skated, has wanted to skate or who has been in awe of this sport.  Boots & Blades: The Story of Canadian Figure Skating is now live and ready to be explored ~ www.bootsandblades.ca