Slip into your finest and step into the Morris Museum’s galleries to experience a major shoe exhibition featuring more than 300 different shoes.  The Shoe Must Go On! explores centuries of shoe design, and presents shoes from many different “walks” of life. The show is on view through August 29, 2010.

Guided tours of the exhibition every Saturday at 1 p.m.

Follow the Shoe Diaries on the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation's blog (click here)

The exhibition explores more than fifteen themes and features footwear of distinguished individuals who share a special connection to the state of New Jersey, including Governor Chris Christie and Thomas Edison, among others.  Highlights include the following:

• Historical Shoes that include a shoe from the 17th century worn by Mary Queen of Scots,  Martha Washington’s slippers, and General David Petraeus’ military boot;

• Sports & Recreation footwear features a boxing boot of Muhammad Ali, Yogi Berra’s sneakers, a sports shoe of Derek Jeter, and football cleats of NY Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez;

• Smart Shoes includes Thomas Edison’s shoes; shoes from John Elliott, WCBS TV meteorologist; and the walking cast that Sonia Sotomayor,  Associate Justice, US Supreme Court, wore during Congressional confirmation hearings;

• That’s Entertainment includes the Mary Jane pumps worn by Jane Krakowski (of 30 Rock) in the Broadway production of Grand Hotel, leather shoes worn by Mel Gibson in The Patriot, and the red fuzzy pumps worn by Molly Shannon in The Grinch; and

Women's shoes for bound feet, China, early 20thC

On Loan from the Newark Museum

• Cultural Connections features footwear from five continents including shoes from China for bound feet, dancing shoes from the Dominican Republic used to perform the Merengue, beaded moccasins of the Plains Indians, wooden shoes from Holland, and sandals from Egypt.

Marina Dempster, Immune

In the Art & Sole section, the exhibition celebrates the creativity of artists with shoe-inspired sculptures that include works by New Jersey artist Willie Cole, Black Patent Leather Venus with Scarification (1993); shoe artist Marina Dempster, Immune (2008); and mechanical sculptor Stephen Gerbo Gerberich, High Heel Factory (2010), an interactive sculpture created specifically for this exhibition. This section also recognizes the inventiveness of entrepreneur Lindsay Phillips, creator of New Jersey-based SwitchFlops, which was inspired by a high school art project she created.

A survey of some of the twentieth-century’s most innovative shoe designers is featured in the exhibition, including I. Miller, Roger Vivier, Ferragamo, and Gucci. The “What’s Hot Now” section highlights the latest in high-fashion shoes featuring Manolo Blahnik, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Stuart Weitzman and Giuseppe Zanotti among others. Lenders to this section include Nina Footwear and Bloomingdale’s.

When you visit the Morris Museum’s The Shoe Must Go On! exhibition, donate a pair of shoes and receive $1.00 off admission. All donations go to “CUMAC – Feeding People and Changing Lives” in Paterson, NJ.

Special Programming

Senior Friday at 1 p.m.
August 6
Free with museum admission
Visit the Morris Museum for an early afternoon of art and conversation with museum staff. The program includes a highlights tour through The Shoe Must Go On!, engaging discussion in the gallery, and light refreshments. Pre-registration is not required.