How does the symposium come to life?
Symposium Sponsorships
We could not do this without your help.
The strength of this conference lies in our community, our collective voices, our co-creation, and also our sponsorships. Sponsorships directly allow us to cover the cost of ticket discounts and scholarships— so farmers can come free, students can attend at a discount, and others can access a scholarship if needed. Sponsorships also help us pay learning our table hosts for their hands-on demos and develop print media, postcards, and signs for the event. Additionally, we’ll use sponsorship funding to pay a photographer to cover the event so that we can continue to tell the story of how local textiles have the opportunity to enliven our place.
Please read more about our sponsorship opportunities!
We are an official 501(c)3, and all donations are tax-deductible. If you'd like to chat more about partnering with the Rust Belt Fibershed, please reach out to rustbeltfibershed@gmail.com.
Once you click the button, scroll through the ticketing options to find a sponsorship option that works for you!
Thank you for helping us make this year’s event a springboard for ecologically-based culture shifts throughout the rest of 2026!
A HUGE THANK-YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS:
Sue Spargo Folk-art Quilts— Canton, OH
Canton, Ohio
email: jason@suespargo.com
website: www.suespargo.com
instagram: @suespargo
We'd like to source more local fiber and dye stuffs for our products. We are also looking for educators interested in sharing their knowledge- we are expanding into a new building with over 5,000 sq ft of classroom space including a purpose built dye classroom, capable of accommodating a number of different craft classes. We are always looking for new opportunities, as a dye studio we can offer a number of different services.
We are passionate about creating community through craft. Currently we are working to create a educating community of like minded crafters with our new teaching facility. The dyeing branch of our business is based heavily on hand dyed wool fabric, but we want to do more in sourcing local fibers and dye stuffs. We are always looking for new dyeing opportunities, ie garment dyeing, commissioned work, etc.
Tyler Village—Cleveland, OH
Rooted in community, Tyler Village is an open and engaging environment for local artists, international companies, small businesses, and mighty non-profits of any scale. Our mixed-use complex offers various floor plans to start, grow, and re-imagine work, collaborate, and thrive.
The Tyler Village campus is a constantly evolving blend of historical buildings, customizable spaces, and modern amenities. You deserve a space that celebrates and reflects who you are. You need a space that helps you secure clients and partners and recruit and retain team members. Just minutes from Downtown Cleveland, University Circle, and the innerbelt, Tyler Village is an ideal destination.
We’ve got plenty going on here. Come see what Tyler Village is all about!
Instagram: @tylervillage
Website: https://tylervillage.com/
Fibershed
Fibershed develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health. We transform the economic systems behind the production of material culture to mitigate climate change, improve health, and contribute to racial and economic equity.
Fibershed is the parent organization to the affiliate, Rust Belt Fibershed. There are over 70 affiliate fibersheds worldwide.
Instagram: @fibershed
Website: www.fibershed.org
614 Knit Studio- Columbus, OH
Central Ohio's Fiber-centric Unique Boutique
Visit 614 Knit Studio, where we are fluent in fiber arts! Whether you knit, crochet, spin, weave, felt, or embroider, you’ll find beautiful supplies to spark your creativity! Our boutique features standard favorite yarns and tools, as well as an ever-changing array of indie-dyed yarn and fiber.
Looking to learn a new craft or technique? Our instructors offer beginner classes, as well as project-based classes to help you increase your skills.
The studio is a welcoming gathering place for fiber artists that fosters community through open stitch and events. Bring your projects, finished objects, yarn – We are always happy to see your preciouses!
Instagram: @614knitstudio
Website: www.614knitstudio.com
Studio Dog Fibers- Columbus, OH
The Ohio-farm-sourced yarn brand by 614 Knit Studio!
Praxis Fiber Workshop—Cleveland, OH
Praxis Fiber Workshop builds the international network of fiber artists and makers through classes, workshops, residencies, and collaborative projects that teach the art form and demonstrate how fiber art can be used to build healthy, resilient, and inclusive communities.
Website: https://www.praxisfiberworkshop.org/
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Our Mission: Accelerating Growth and Prosperity
Our Vision: A Great Region on A Great Lake… thriving for all businesses and individuals
Our Role: Convene and connect, catalyze and coordinate, communicate and advocate
Website: https://greatercle.com/
Trilobite Design
A Cincinnati-based design and architecture practice focused on sustainable construction, and specializing in custom homes, businesses, and urban infill. Trilobite Design is an expert in Passive House and "Pretty Good Home" design, which aims to create buildings that use less energy to keep folks happy and healthy inside.
Instagram: @trilobitedesign
Website: trilobitedesign.com
Broadlawn Farm
Broadlawn Farm is a 15 acre historic estate farm near Cleveland, OH, bringing inspiring and creative people together to curate magical events, experiences, ideas and products focused on well-being. We offer workshops, location shoots, brand styling and experience design consultations, both here at the farm and off-site. We like to say that we can bring the Broadlawn Farm anywhere.
Instagram: @broadlawnfarm
Website: Broadlawnfarm.com
“Broadlawn Farm has been such a huge supporter of and participant in our Rust Belt Fibershed community in so many ways, it’s hard to know where to start. From growing flax to organizing community events at the farm to sharing photos to simply hyping us up with positive psychology, thank you, Broadlawn Farm!!!” — Jess Boeke, Co-Founder, Rust Belt Fibershed
Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati
Our Mission: Preserving and advancing the fiber arts through inspiration, education, and support of makers and enthusiasts.
Instagram: @weaversguildcincinnati
Website: www.weaversguildcincinnati.org
“I owe my own weaving skill to a local guild who took me in and mentored me! You can definitely feel the energy building behind the WGGC- an incredible resource of wisdom, skills, and talent. When I see the programming and work coming out of the WGGC, I’m floored and wished I lived closer! If you are in the general Cincinnati area and are interested in learning the art and skills of weaving, spinning, dyeing, and more, look no further than their classes, workshops, and memberships! - Sarah Pottle, Co-Founder, RBF
City Fresh— Oberlin, OH
PO Box 357
Oberlin, OH 44074
email: info@cityfresh.org
website: cityfresh.org
instagram: @cityfreshneo
City Fresh is a non-profit local foods program working to create and promote a more healthy, vibrant, and just local foods system. Our projects include a farm box program which sells affordably priced fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables throughout Northeast Ohio and a New Farmer Incubator program operating in collaboration with Oberlin College and Lorain County Community College. We help communities without access to healthy, affordable, fresh foods shop for local, sustainably grown fruits and veggies right in their neighborhood so they can eat healthier and rest easier knowing where their food is coming from.
Flower Hill Fleeces and Fiber Mill— Armstrong County, PA
email: hello@flowerhillfleeces.com
website: www.flowerhillfleeces.com
location: Armstrong County, PA
Nestled in the heart of Armstrong County, PA, our farm is home to a happy flock of Shetland sheep that provide high quality wool for your needles and our handcrafted creations. Every product reflects our dedication to tradition, home-grown products and sustainable agriculture.
We are excited to announce that we are set to open our very own fiber mill this Spring 2025! This new venture will allow us to process not only the wool from our flock but also from other local farms!
We are also eager to foster a community of fiber enthusiasts through events and workshops at the mill.
Luna Bakery and Cafe
Luna Bakery & Café has earned its reputation as Cleveland's premier scratch bakery, crafting exceptional pastries and food entirely in-house using only the freshest ingredients. Visit their Downtown, Cleveland Heights or Moreland Hills locations to experience their artisanal creations, or elevate your next event with their renowned catering services. Every bite, whether in their cafés or at your special occasion, delivers the fresh, handcrafted quality that defines Luna.
Instagram: @lunabakerycafe
Website: www.lunabakerycafe.com
World Centric
We exist to be of service to people and the planet.
We manufacture only compostable foodservice and packaging products and give 25% of our profits to social and environmental organizations to further their work in creating a better world.
Instagram: @worldcentric
Website: worldcentric.com
Small Wave Remodeling
Beautiful, clean, and consistent project. Kitchen, bath, and carpentry.
Ursuline College
Ursuline, which was founded in 1871, is a historically women’s college for all, educates male and female students for service, leadership, and professional excellence through an array of undergraduate, graduate and degree-completion programs in the liberal arts, nursing, and professional studies. At Ursuline, historically women-focused programs and a growing portfolio of graduate and degree-completion programs foster lifelong learning. The college is home to the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions, a National League of Nursing Center for Nursing Excellence, and offers 16 intercollegiate sports, including 15 competing at the NCAA Division II level.
Instagram: @ursulinecollege
Website: https://www.ursuline.edu/
Westminster AV—Cleveland, Ohio
Westminster AV is woman-owned small business located in downtown Cleveland. We are a leading supplier of event technology services for hotels, restaurants and conference centers. We specialize in corporate AV, galas and fundraisers.
Call us to talk about your next event at 216.325.6965.
Website: www.westminsterav.com
“Jason has been more responsive and accommodating than I could have ever asked for. The planning process has been so smooth, and they have been so helpful in tailoring their services to meet our specific needs and budget!” —Sarah Pottle, co-founder, RBF
World Centric
We exist to be of service to people and the planet.
We manufacture only compostable foodservice and packaging products and give 25% of our profits to social and environmental organizations to further their work in creating a better world.
Instagram: @worldcentric
Website: worldcentric.com
FIBER FRIEND SPONSORS!
We’d like to thank our amazing community members who donated a little extra towards the symposium this year!
Beth and Steve Lucius
Fey Parrill
For full weekend agenda and details, please see the main symposium page.