Paying homage to the beloved Bob Ross show “The Joy of Painting” and making it their own, the Coe Student Innovation Center Makerspace will be hosting “The Joy of P(r)ainting” to expose people to 3D printing April 5 at 1 p.m.
Under the guidance of “Rob Boss,” TJOP participants will focus on 3D painting more than printing, specifically the post-processing of prints and plastics to show how these materials have more uses than only engineering or design.
Participants will pick a bunny, flower, rubber duck or puppy 3D printed trinket to paint. Organizers select three to four models before each event, which recommends an RSVP, based on the time of year and the objects’ simplicity.
“As a space dedicated to fostering creativity, TJOP is a workshop hosted to show that anyone can be a maker and create something wonderful,” event host Victoria Evans said. “We like to show off what our printers can do and we are always trying to show new and exciting ways to use the tech — even if that is painting the prints.”
The Joy of P(r)ainting typically runs for an hour and is a very laid-back, freestyle occasion. Evans will be “Rob Boss” for the occasion, providing helpful tips and running the whole workshop while acting as the famous painter Bob Ross.
“I wear a Bob Ross costume while adopting the iconic calming manner of the late Bob Ross,” Evans said.
Not breaking character, Evans will go in depth about tricks to turn mono-color 3D objects into painted objects, since a major barrier in 3D printing is that most printers print in a single color. Markerspace Coordinator, Tyler Kerr compares 3D printing to a super-smart hot glue gun.
“Just like a hot glue gun, a 3D printer uses a very hot nozzle to melt a material and spit it out the end,” Kerr said. “But in the case of a 3D printer, the nozzle is verysmall (0.4 millimeters in diameter) and unlike a hot glue gun, a computer and motors drive the 3D printer to extrude hot plastic in the shape of an object, layer-by-layer.”
The Joy of P(r)ainting’s goal is to spread more awareness of 3D printers and other technology housed in the Makerspace, one of the campus facilities for creative work and collaboration. It is not just a place for engineers, but a place open to everyone from artists and tailors to scientists and hackers.
“We put on The Joy Of P(r)ainting for a few reasons,” Evans said. “Most importantly, we want to get people in to the Makerspace to see what we can offer them, and this event has had a good outreach impact so far.”
To attend The Joy of P(r)ainting, participants must RSVP on the innovation center website at Uwyo.edu/SIC/. Phone calls, emails at csic@uwyo.eduor personal visits to the Makerspace are also accepted. There are roughly 20 spots total for painters, with 12 being for those with RSVPs and the rest for drop-ins. Without an RSVP, prints are first come first serve.
