The Journey of The Sneaker Tabernacle: Cultivating Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Community

In a world where disposable fashion rules and hype culture is often the driving force behind purchasing decisions, a unique project is crafting a different narrative. Enter the Sneaker Tabernacle, a traveling sneaker workshop that's on a mission to empower individuals to redefine their relationship with footwear, and indeed, their understanding of value and uniqueness.

Why the name Tabernacle?

The inspiration for the Sneaker Tabernacle comes from two rather distinct sources. The first is the community spirit and shared learning that is a defining characteristic of a 'tabernacle' of bakers. Just as a group of bakers works together, sharing skills and knowledge to create something beautiful and delicious, the Sneaker Tabernacle aims to foster a similar sense of community around the art of sneaker customization and repair.

The second source of inspiration is the Old Testament exodus story of the Israelites. Like the ancient Israelites who traveled throughout the wilderness, the Sneaker Tabernacle is a nomadic endeavor, moving from city to city, sharing skills and knowledge. Bezalel, the chief artisan of the Israelites, who not only designed and built the tabernacle but also taught others how to do the same, serves as a model for the Sneaker Tabernacle's mission.

"A traveling sneaker workshop..."

From our frequent classes in downtown Lawrenceville and Conyers, Georgia, we are looking to expand not only throughout Georgia but all across the US. Come August, we're hitting the road, traveling to places like Boston, Michigan, and Seattle to host classes, and we're also planning to host camps and courses in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the heart of the Sneaker Tabernacle is a passionate commitment to teaching the youth how to step away from the hype culture. Instead of chasing after the latest releases and trends, we encourage participants to embrace the ideology of making old things new.

Participants in the Sneaker Tabernacle workshops are required to bring their own shoe, but we stress the importance of not buying new. We urge them to visit thrift stores like Plato’s Closet or Goodwill to find an old shoe and bring it in to reimagine and reinvent it. The aim is to make it 'yours,' transforming it into a one-of-a-kind creation that no one else has ever seen or will ever have because it’s something that you created.

Tickets to the Sneaker Tabernacle can be purchased on Eventbrite, 

Private events can be booked by contacting us at connect@shoebaker.com or sneakertabernacle@shoebaker.com.

The Sneaker Tabernacle is more than a workshop; it's a movement, a community. And we invite you to join us on this journey, to learn, to create, and to redefine what a sneaker can mean. Because in the end, it's not just about making old things new; it's about shaping a new way of thinking, a new way of valuing, and a new way of being.