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Shoe Quarter Waalwijk gets supervisory board

NewsShoe Quarter gets board of trustees

From February 2023, the supervision of the Shoe Quarter in Waalwijk will change. The current board (Harrie de Werd and Margo Strik) will resign. At the same time, a Supervisory Board will take office, consisting of four people; Geertje Pruijsers (chairman), Olaf Vugts, Ben van Heesbeen and Martijn Mathot. It is up to this Supervisory Board to appoint a director. The search for a suitable candidate can now begin. Until the appointment of the new director, Mechtild van den Hombergh will fill this position.  

According to chairman Geertje Pruijsers, the transition to a new management structure is necessary to realize the ambitions of the Shoe Quarter: "In this way we are professionalizing the management of the museum. The director to be appointed will have more responsibilities and we will closely monitor the frameworks we agree on. We are very grateful to the current directors Harrie de Werd and Margo Strik as well as the staff and volunteers for the work they have done for the construction and start-up of the new Shoe Quarter. 

The Shoe Quarter in Waalwijk opened its doors at the end of June 2022, after a long closure to the public. Olaf Vugts: 'There is a beautiful museum with a great collection and programming. But the Shoe Quarter is more than a museum; there is a new concept in a unique location. That concept rests on three pillars: the maaklabs, the Knowledge Center and the Museum. The strength of the Shoe Quarter is that it is about making, learning, meeting and suprise. And the latter has also been my main interest for many years. We look forward to seeing that flourish more in the future.'

Alderman John van den Hoven is also pleased that the focus is now on the future; "Waalwijk's ambitions are sky-high. It is good to see that the ambitions of the Shoe Quarter are too. I warmly welcome the new Supervisory Board. I have confidence that, together with all the staff and volunteers, they will put the Shoe Quarter further on the map.'

Designed by CIVIC Public Architecture, the Shoe Quater building won the award for best architecture of a public building in the Netherlands in October 2022. 

The full Board of Supervisors introduces themselves below the photo. Photo is available free of rights. 

The new Supervisory Board of the Shoe Quarter.
From left to right; Ben van Heesbeen, Martijn Mathot, Geertje Pruijsers and Olaf Vugts.

BEN VAN HEESBEEN
Ben van Heesbeen has management experience in both the profit and non-profit sectors. He started his career as a marketing manager at Schiphol Airport. He then held various management positions at cultural organizations, including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in The Hague. He later shifted his focus to managing complex social organizations. After working at the Humanitas association, he is now director of a library organization with 60 employees and 280 volunteers.

His motivation for this role on the Supervisory Board of the Shoe Quarter in Waalwijk: "I look forward to being able to contribute - together with my fellow Supervisory Board members, the staff, volunteers and other stakeholders - to bringing this wonderful Schoenenkwartier to even greater fruition.The Shoe Quarter is completely unique. That is because of the mix of attention for the regional heritage of the shoe and leather industry, the attention for important developments in the industry, and the fun of experiencing for yourself what it is to work with leather and shoes.

MARTIJN MATHOT
After extensive international experience at the executive level, Martijn Mathot has been managing director of Bata Netherlands since 2016. This company is part of the global Bata concern focused on consumer footwear. Based in Best in Brabant, the Netherlands, Bata Nederland has been developing and producing safety shoes since 1934. Along with a small number of other industry peers, Bata is one of the last companies still actually producing shoes in the Netherlands. For several years, Martijn Mathot has also been advising other companies and serving as a director, supervisor or advisor. Martijn Mathot's experience in the shoe industry, combined with his managerial and advisory experience, make him a good sounding board for the Managing Director of the Shoe Quarter and his fellow board members on the Supervisory Board. 

His motivation for this role on the Supervisory Board of the Schoenenkwartier in Waalwijk: 'The Shoe Quater is a beautiful museum and does justice to the rich history of the shoe industry in Waalwijk and Brabant. I am proud to be part of it.'

 

GEERTJE PRUIJSERS (CHAIR)
Geertje Pruijsers is an experienced supervisor, including in the Arts and Culture sector. For example, she was involved as a supervisor at Design Academy Eindhoven for over 8 years and is a supervisor at the Social Label Foundation in 's-Hertogenbosch. In her career in marketing/communications, she has been responsible for shoe brands such as Manfield, Dolcis, Invito, Pro-Sport and Hush Puppies. In addition to this professional experience, she has been brought up with a love of shoes. Her father spent his entire life working in the shoe industry. In addition, she is a shoe fan and has countless pairs in her own closet.

Her motivation for this role on the Supervisory Board of the Shoe Quarter in Waalwijk: 'Waalwijk benefits from the attractive Shoe Quarter. It will strengthen the appeal of Waalwijk nationally and internationally. I would like to make my contribution to that.'

 

OLAF VUGTS
Olaf Vugts has worked at the Efteling for more than 32 years, in various positions from vacation worker to Director of Imagineering. He also made a foray into Adventure Park Hellendoorn as Head of Marketing & Communications. Since August 1, 2020, he has founded his own consulting firm, Olaf Vugts Imagineering. He provides advice on imagineering, brand development, experience and storytelling. He has experience in the retail, leisure, culture and healthcare sectors.

His motivation for this role on the Supervisory Board of the Shoe Quarter in Waalwijk: 'A museum is an experience. By approaching it that way, the rich shoe culture of Waalwijk will come to life even further. The Shoe Quarter has a lot of potential to expand that even further.'

DIRK VAESSEN manipulates the movement of the body by making you walk with restrictive shoe objects. He has developed and made these objects himself. In doing so, he wants to make you aware of a new posture that reshapes your movements. An investigation to go against the norm: be a Brave Henry!
DIRK VAESSEN manipulates the movement of the body by making you walk with restrictive shoe objects. He has developed and made these objects himself. In doing so, he wants to make you aware of a new posture that reshapes your movements. An investigation to go against the norm: be a Brave Henry!
INEZ VAN KESSEL looks at how people themselves change their bodies. It leads to a festive and slightly absurd collection with a style all its own. It started with an investigation into cyborgs and plastic surgery, and culminated in a collection that can change your contour in a flash, bigger breasts, wider hips, you name it....
INEZ VAN KESSEL looks at how people themselves change their bodies. It leads to a festive and slightly absurd collection with a style all its own. It started with an investigation into cyborgs and plastic surgery, and culminated in a collection that can change your contour in a flash, bigger breasts, wider hips, you name it....
As a toy collector, STIJN KOKS has a weakness for collectible action figures, cards, etc. These collectible objects can also be virtual, for example in the form of an 'NFT'. An 'NFT' is a digital possession, which can have all kinds of functions, including that of a virtual collectible picture. With his childhood/toy fascination, this seemed an appropriate way for him to publish his collection. Each picture has so-called "traits" that you can click on and discover the collection in your own way. A nod to a collectible scrapbook.
As a toy collector, STIJN KOKS has a weakness for collectible action figures, cards, etc. These collectible objects can also be virtual, for example in the form of an 'NFT'. An 'NFT' is a digital possession, which can have all kinds of functions, including that of a virtual collectible picture. With his childhood/toy fascination, this seemed an appropriate way for him to publish his collection. Each picture has so-called "traits" that you can click on and discover the collection in your own way. A nod to a collectible scrapbook.
GABRIEL GIORDANO's shoe designs are experiments with materials and silhouettes. They arise through combinations of techniques and concepts from many areas of our culture. Stylistic aspects also slide over and into each other to achieve radical rethinking of what a shoe can be.
GABRIEL GIORDANO 's shoe designs are experiments with materials and silhouettes. They arise through combinations of techniques and concepts from many areas of our culture. Stylistic aspects also slide over and into each other to achieve radical rethinking of what a shoe can be.
OSCAR VAN DER LAAN / CLOCKPACK PRICE builds worlds like no other. Realities, simulations, songs and fantasies tumble over each other in multidisciplinary adventures. They are magnifications of our dealings with the world we create. His projects bring the objects we surround ourselves with to life in a whole new way.
OSCAR VAN DER LAAN / KLOKPACKPRIJS builds worlds like no other. Realities, simulations, songs and fantasies tumble over each other in multidisciplinary adventures. They are magnifications of our dealings with the world we create. His projects bring the objects we surround ourselves with to life in a whole new way.
Water is at the center of these works by PUCK SCHOTEL. The environment reflects in water, wind makes it move, the moon makes it wave, water is pure and nourishing. In this collection, the foot is "in the water" and the water transforms into a shoe. The transparent and 'flowing' nature of water are inspiration for this exploration of what a shoe can be.
Water is at the center of these works by PUCK SCHOTEL. The environment reflects in water, wind makes it move, the moon makes it wave, water is pure and nourishing. In this collection, the foot is "in the water" and the water transforms into a shoe. The transparent and 'flowing' nature of water are inspiration for this exploration of what a shoe can be.
For the City Farmer collection, NIELS VAN BOXTEL was inspired by folkloric crafts. He has combined the age-old craft of 'clog making' with a new technique: hydro-dipping. The prints are based on the motivations of traditional Delft Blue , however, they are provided with a contemporary look.
For the City Farmer collection, NIELS VAN BOXTEL was inspired by folkloric crafts. He has combined the age-old craft of 'clog making' with a new technique: hydro-dipping. The prints are based on the motivations of traditional Delft Blue , however, they are provided with a contemporary look.
LOIS BRANDSEN's "Blanket" collection focuses on the question: Where do I belong? The fashion designer grew up in two homes and between two opposing cultures. Defining both cultures prompted the designer to further explore the meaning of home, meant as a private, safe, comfortable place where we feel connected. A warm blanket.
LOIS BRANDSEN 's "Blanket" collection focuses on the question: Where do I belong? The fashion designer grew up in two homes and between two opposing cultures. Defining both cultures prompted the designer to further explore the meaning of home, meant as a private, safe, comfortable place where we feel connected. A warm blanket.
TESSA SHOENMAKERS made shoes without animal products, and with recycled materials. The uppers are made from a used sleeping bag and from Pinatex (a pineapple leaf fiber product). The soles were cast in a homemade mold and made from a mixture of recycled old sneaker soles bonded with natural latex rubber. This is futuristic durability.
TESSA SHOENMAKERS made shoes without animal products, and with recycled materials. The uppers are made from a used sleeping bag and from Pinatex (a pineapple leaf fiber product). The soles were cast in a homemade mold and made from a mixture of recycled old sneaker soles bonded with natural latex rubber. This is futuristic durability.
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