The Bata Shoe Museum’s newest collection, ‘Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks,’ is now on display in Toronto. Anyone hoping to see the exhibit can do so free of charge on May 28 and 29. 

According to the museum’s website, the exhibit “considers how cutting-edge technologies, unexpected materials, and new ideas are transforming footwear today.” The exhibit includes sneakers that are digitally designed, 3D printed, recycled and made for the metaverse. Some notable highlights from the exhibit include an auto-lacing sneaker from Nike, Crocs that break the traditional mold and avant-garde sneaker designs. 

The museum is celebrating the launch of the exhibit with a free community weekend. Besides the new exhibit, there will be sneaker-themed kids crafts, opportunities to try on sneakers and more. There will also be a sneaker drive with The Kickback, a youth-led organization that aims to uplift youth through sneaker culture. Anyone who donates a new or gently used pair of sneakers will receive a free $25 annual pass to the museum.

The Bata Shoe Museum’s free weekend runs from Saturday, May 28 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to Sunday, May 29 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m).