3D Printing Opens New Doors for ESU Professor

Posted by: admin on April 6, 2015, One Comment


Darlene Farris-LaBar, associate professor of art + design at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, is shipping her artwork around the world in the next few months, thanks to a little bit of courage and a broader acceptance of the expanding world of 3D printing, a technology that has been around since the 1970s and recently transitioned from industrial practices to consumer markets.

Last month, Farris-LaBar ignored her nerves, shut her eyes and clicked submit — sending her work to 3D PRINTSHOW, a company that showcases 3D printed artwork around the world.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be offered this opportunity,” she said. “I am still in shock and pinching myself to make sure it’s really happening.”

Farris-LaBar took full advantage of the printing labs East Stroudsburg to share her passion for the environment.

“I have always had a fascination for the vulnerable, beautiful little species that are throughout our land,” she said. “3D printing has allowed me to capture that and give people a documentation of plants and flowers that may one day not be around.”

How does 3-D printing work? The most popular form of 3-D printing is the additive manufacturing process where a material, such as plastic, is fed through the machine and comes out through a nozzle that heats the plastic turning it into liquid, and then it is deposited onto a platform, building up layer by layer to create a wall into a form, according to Farris-LaBar.

She believes this new technology will open doors for creative people around the world just like it did for her.

And though she’s reaching new heights in her career, Farris-LaBar continues to push her students at ESU to succeed.

“I tell my students every day not to give up,” she said. “I think endurance is success when it comes to being a great artist and having a great career.”

Farris-LaBar’s artwork will start exhibiting in New York City on April 16.

One Response to “3D Printing Opens New Doors for ESU Professor”

Sarah Khan

Posted April 18, 2015 at 9:48 PM

Dr. Farris-LaBar, I am soooooo proud of you! You’re such an inspirational professor, mentor, and friend. ESU is beyond lucky to have individuals like you who try their hardest in their field, expand their knowledge and then return to share that knowledge with their community, and partake in school events with their students. I’m going to miss you when I graduate and I know that many others will as well 🙂