KENT, OH.- The Kent State University Museum has announced a new partnership with the Fabric Pantry, a Kent State student organization that provides free fabric to university students. Advancing accessibility and environmental sustainability, this partnership represents a unique collaborative model for museum practice.

Founded in 2022 by students in Kent State’s renowned School of Fashion, the Fabric Pantry increases access to materials for students. As the only textile resource on campus, it offers a wide selection of donated fabrics and textiles to students – at no cost – on a monthly basis. Donations come from local individuals and small businesses, helping reduce textile waste by repurposing existing fabrics for student use.

When the museum’s new director, Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., learned about the Fabric Pantry, she eagerly embraced its mission. Appointed in July 2024, Spinner Liska is working to expand student and community engagement around a vision of inclusivity and sustainability. This new partnership will feature a series of six programs over the academic year, fostering student dialogue on inclusivity and sustainability while expanding resources and access to the Fabric Pantry.

“I am thrilled to launch this partnership with the Fabric Pantry to advance inclusivity and sustainability,” Spinner Liska said. “The extraordinary passion, purpose and creativity of these students is inspiring and catalyzing positive change across campus.”

“We are flourishing thanks to Sarah,” said Pearl Heinley, a fourth-year Kent State fashion design student from Austin, Texas, and co-founder of the Fabric Pantry. “The dedication of our student members and the support of our community have allowed us to reach new heights and access opportunities we could only dream of a year ago.”

Evelyn Snyder, president of the Fabric Pantry and a fourth-year Kent State fashion design student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said, “Partnering with the museum is one of the many ways we are providing all students with sustainable resources and valuable opportunities to be part of the fashion school.”