The Shoe Project

8 women. 8 pairs of shoes. 8 incredible stories.

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Saturday, Feb. 24 & Sunday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m

In-Person Performances

Sat. Feb. 24

7:30 p.m.

Location: artsPlace Canmore

Sun. Feb. 25

7:30 p.m.

Location: artsPlace Canmore

Sat. March 2

6:00 p.m.

Location: Whyte Museum, Banff

Live Stream Performance

Sun. Feb. 25

7:30 p.m.

Virtual

The Shoe Project returns with an evening of stories from the Bow Valley’s immigrant and refugee women.

"Shoes accompany us on all our journeys. They say who we are, where we came from and where we are going.” – The Shoe Project founder, Katherine Govier

The Shoe Project returns to artsPlace and the Whyte Museum with more evenings of stories from the Bow Valley’s immigrant women. The Shoe Project is a writing and performance workshop for immigrant women who tell the stories of their journeys to Canada, through a pair of shoes. Writing their shoe memoirs while being mentored by Canadian writers and voice coaches gives participants a voice and helps them be heard in their communities, and in the Canadian mainstream. Join them for this very personal performance.

2024 Participants

Rowena D'souza, India / Emilie Houerie, France / Nikol Faltysova, Czech Republic / Nancy Ruiz, Mexico / Pamela Saez, Chile / Kusha Bisht, India / Sabina Sirotkova, Czech Republic / Elia Lopez, Mexico

Special thanks to the project organizer and alumna Elia Lopez.

Photos by Alexis McKeown

Meet the Participants

Meet The Teachers

Helen Rolfe - Writing

Helen Rolfe is a professional writer and editor who won acclaim for her book Women Explorers: One Hundred Years of Courage and Audacity, a collection of portraits of pioneering women adventurers. She is also the co-author of the English version of Japanese alpinist Junko Tabei’s memoir Honouring High Places: The Mountain Life of Junko Tabei. Helen resides in Canmore, where the beautiful Rocky Mountains surround her. She is the writing coach and mentor for this year's participants of the Bow Valley Shoe Project.

Nan Hughes Poole - Voice

Banff mezzo-soprano Nan Hughes Poole is described by her peers as a passionate advocate for education, arts and Banff heritage. Nan’s volunteer involvement has spanned the entire Bow Valley through music, church, school and Girl Guides. For years she supported the Banff Community Christmas Concert as a performer, coach and volunteer organizer; supported Banff Community High School musicals as a voice coach and mentor; and inspired music through her involvement with the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Choir. She has participated in the Shoe Project as a public speaking and voice coach since its beginnings.

Generously supported by

Experiencing the arts is a right regardless of financial means. Learn about the Discover Art Access Program here.

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