Gallery going emerged as a public pleasure in Canada in the late nineteenth century and continues (as we strongly believe at the Agnes!) to be an engaging cultural activity. Stepping Out proposes outfits and accessories that one might wear to an art museum—perhaps to an exhibition opening, at a children’s event, for a study session, or on a Sunday afternoon. Drawing upon the Queen’s University Collection of Canadian Dress, the exhibition features clothing, from the 1860s to 1970s, stepping through gallery spaces and intermingling with contemporaneous works of art. Talented unknown dressmakers are highlighted alongside Canadian and international designers such as El Jamon, Elsie Densem, Jonathan Logan and Zandra Rhodes. From walking sticks and moody landscapes to mod dresses and video art, many objects are on view for the first time. Come and imagine yourself in a different pair of shoes.

Curated by Alicia Boutilier, with Carolyn Dowdell, Deirdre Macdonald, Elaine MacKay and Sophia Zweifel

Stepping Out is accompanied by a digital publication with feature texts on select garments by writers, curators and historians who have a history of working with the Queen’s University Collection of Canadian Dress. Read now.