“Great exhibitors, great venue, great snacks (!!) and great conversations with so many people!”
“It was really well attended. There were people there who didn't seem like part of the usual zine fair/indy comix crowd, which was great!”
“The attendees who I spoke to after the event said it felt very accessible compared to similar events they'd attended in the past.”
Upcoming Event:
March 15, 2026
11am - 5pm
Inaugural
PIE 2025
Milestones
1200
attendees
95 Exhibiting Creators
53% local Pittsburgh artists
47% exhibitors from across the country
30% first-time and new to selling at fairs
Pop-up exhibit of local cartoonists by the Mobile Cartoon Museum
Comics Reading featuring readers Audra Stang, Alex Nall, Lee Strawberry, Darya Farah Foroohar, Hannibal Gerald, HJ Taylor
Screening of vintage Fleischer Studios and Fat Albert cartoons, loaned from the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (part of MCM)
PIE 2025 sponsors: Blick Art Materials, The Center for Cartoon Studies, Comicsburgh, Incubator Productions, Make More Comics, New Dimension Comics
Panels and discussions by comics industry professionals
Hands-on cartooning and zine-making workshops for all ages
Special Guests: Bill Boichel, Steph Neary, John Peña, Beth Hetland, Angela Oddling, Black Indie Comix Club
The Pittsburgh Indie Expo (PIE) Story
Pittsburgh Indie Expo (PIE) is a free, volunteer-run, all-ages festival dedicated to showcasing the vibrant world of independent comics, zines, small-press publishing, and DIY creative work. Founded to uplift both emerging and established creators, PIE features a curated exhibitor floor exhibitors from the local scene and far beyond, professional artist panels, hands-on workshops, and interactive programming designed to inspire makers and fans alike with
Hosted at the Heinz History Center, the festival also offers attendees free access to museum exhibits, creating a uniquely immersive cultural experience in the heart of Pittsburgh.
PIE 2025 Organizers: Sheika Lugtu, Jenna Kang & Coordinators: Harry Amplas, Josie Norton
PIE 2025 Advisory Board: Bill Boichel, John Peña, Steph Neary, and Juan Fernandez
History as Pittbsburgh Indy Comix Expo (PIX)
PIE began as PIX (Pittsburgh Indy Comix Exposition) presented by The Copacetic Comics Company and the ToonSeum, running from 2011 to 2017. PIX filled a niche in Pittsburgh for small-press/independent comics, offering a platform for creators who make work outside of big mainstream comics to collaborate and reach audiences. The history of PIX has been archived on this page. The legacy of PIX continues as PIE, adapting to broader indie-arts storytelling while continuing the original spirit of community and small-press comics.
Thanks to the work of previous PIX organizers Bill Boichel, Harold Behar, John F. Kelly, Jared Catherine, Daniel Patrick McCloskey, Juan José Fernandez, and more! Special acknowledgement to Frank Santoro for founding Comics Workbook and the Pittsburgh Comics Salon, and to Juan Fernandez for continuing them.
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Support PIE
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Sponsorship Opportunities
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Sponsorship Opportunities
✎ Support PIE ✄ Sponsorship Opportunities ✑ Sponsorship Opportunities
Ways to support indie storytelling in Pittsburgh!
Partnering with PIE is an opportunity to invest in Pittsburgh’s creative economy and align your organization with a growing cultural event that champions emerging talent and diverse perspectives in the arts. Your backing ensures that this celebration of DIY and independent publishing remains free, vibrant, and deeply connected to the community it serves.
See sponsorship options below or contact us at PIEburgh@gmail.com to create unique opportunities just for you!
Sponsorships help us elevate the festival’s impact by funding:
Travel and honoraria for guest artists and speakers
Professional workshop instructors and purchase materials
Printing, production, and promotional campaigns
Accessibility tools and community-centered programming
All Sponsors Receive:
Logo placement on the PIE website
Acknowledgment across social media platforms
Recognition in the festival program & signage
Option to include promotional materials for exhibitors and attendees
Option for a sponsor table in a prominent location
Option to participate or collaborate in programming
The crust holds it all together! Your support forms the base of PIE. We don’t make money from our artists or charge them full event costs so your support keeps our indie event accessible and free to the public.
This $150 sponsorship tier includes:
Your name/logo on the website and all future archives as an official sponsor.
Your name/logo on the event poster, distributed throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Your name/logo in social media shout-outs.
A generous slice for a tasty cause! You’re helping fund snacks (!!!), promotional materials, supplies for workshops, and all the creative goodness that makes PIE so satisfying.
This $250 sponsorship tier includes:
Your name/logo on all printed materials (posters, flyers, printed programs and maps distributed on the day of the event.)
Your name/logo on the website and future archive, and social media posts.
The cherry on top adds that extra wow factor! Help fund special guests, unique and interesting programming, and external events leading up to PIE.
This $500 sponsorship tier includes:
A table in a prominent location. This could be staffed or un-staffed with your materials on display.
A dedicated social media post and written promo pieces on the PIE website.
Your logo/name on the website and future archives, printed poster, programs, maps, signage, and displayed during panels and workshops.
Go big and get the whole pie! We’ll work with you to create a unique custom package that includes all the perks and more. Think custom-branded swag for attendees and exhibitors, interactive table activities, tasty giveaways, or even special pre-expo events.