Now on view at the Portland Art Museum Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is a groundbreaking new exhibition that features nearly 60 futuristic footwear designs pushing the boundaries of what footwear can be. Featuring an incredible mix of fashion, design, gaming, new media, architecture, and material arts as well as sustainable and collaborative practices, the exhibition features work by a diverse group of designers, collaborations with fashion icons, top gaming and innovation companies, and more. Future Now features sections exploring Innovation, Sustainability, Transformative, and Virtual shoes, and includes digitally designed and 3D-printed shoes, sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, and footwear created for the metaverse.

Making the Portland connection inside the exhibition, Doernbecher Freestyle celebrates the 20th year of partnership between OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and NIKE, Inc. And alongside the exhibition, the Museum and PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow are keeping the sneaker celebration going all summer through a partnership with Sneaker Week PDX, design summer camps for kids, and more. Visitors to the exhibition can also try their hand at creating their own shoes digitally, learn new lacing patterns, and get hands-on with shoe materials.

“This exhibition expands the possibilities of what footwear design can be, presenting the future right at our feet. The show is a love letter to all of the artists, storytellers, designers, and visionaries who dare to think differently—many who live and work right here in Portland, the shoe capital of the United States.”—Amy Dotson, Director of PAM CUT and Curator of Film & New Media for Portland Art Museum.

LACE-UP YOUR SNEAKERS AND TAKE PART IN THE FUN

Visit the Exhibition

Thursday & Friday - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

1219 SW Park Ave.

Kids age 17 and under always visit for free

Free First Thursdays - free admission on the first Thursday of every month

Sneaker Week PDX Partnership and Programs

Stay tuned for programs and activations throughout the run of Future Now for events and programs that use the art of storytelling to celebrate the creativity, narratives, and communities that form through sneaker culture. Sneaker Week PDX hosts an annual seven-day festival of sneaker-themed experiences that connect athletes, collectors, influencers, and aspiring professionals with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in the footwear industry. This year’s event takes place July 29 – August 4.

A Walk in My Shoes: A Program in Celebration of Juneteenth  

Thursday, June 20

In partnership with Word is Bond, Sneaker Week and the Portland Art Museum present an evening of shared storytelling between Word is Bond youth and Portland-based designers. Inspired by In My Shoes walking tours, this Juneteenth program uses the shoe as a medium to amplify the creative voices and visions of Black men and their communities.

Sneaker and Design Summer Camps

PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow

SOLD OUT Thread & Tread // Unleashing Creativity in Sneaker Design (ages 11-14)
June 17 - 21

Step into the captivating world of sneaker design at our weeklong summer camp inspired by the incredible exhibition Future Now! Your guide on this epic adventure is none other than Herbert Beauclere, professional shoe designer and co-founder of Sneaker Week PDX.

Sneaker Alchemy // Transforming Ideas into Wearable Art (ages 8-10)

June 24 - 28

Dive into the world of sneaker design and turn ordinary kicks into extraordinary creations. Teaching artist Fuchsia Lin will show you how to make your sneakers stand out from the rest, exploring how to incorporate the elements and principles of design to translate your vision into shoes of the future.

Kicks & Creativity // Designing Footwear of the Future (ages 15-18)

July 29 - Aug 2

An exciting one-week summer workshop created for high school students to immerse themselves in the world of footwear design. Under the guidance of lead instructor Herbert Beauclere, shoe designer and co-founder of Sneaker Week PDX, students will learn introductory footwear design skills, including color design, pattern making, material exploration, and construction techniques.

Vibrant Visions // A Design and Pattern Exploration Camp (ages 8-10)

Aug 12 -16

Embark on an artistic adventure as we dive into a magical world of bold design and pattern creation. Teaching artist and illustrator Julz Clementine will guide this week-long exploration filled with collaborative projects, playful mindfulness exercises, and inspiration from the world around us. As an extra treat, we’ll explore the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks exhibition.

Pattern Palooza // Unleashing Creativity through Design (ages 11-14)

Aug 19 - 23

Patterns are like secret codes in the world around us, creating visual connections and reminding us how good design fits together like pieces of a giant puzzle. Teaching artist and illustrator Julz Clementine brings a wealth of creative experience to guide students through a week filled with collaborative projects, mindfulness exercises, and drawing inspiration from the world around us, including visits to the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks exhibition.