UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jenny Kenyon, forensic artist and research associate in the Arts and Design Research Incubator (ADRI) at Penn State, will lead a two-day, hands-on facial reconstruction workshop from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, in 16 Borland Building at University Park. 

Participants will begin with a 3D print of a skull and, working in teams, will perform an anthropological assessment of gender, age, ancestry and build. Using scientific soft tissue data and the Manchester/British method of facial reconstruction, the teams will use pegs and clay to reconstruct the face of the individual over the course of the workshop.

This workshop is open to the public, but registration is required, as space is limited. Supplies and tools will be provided, and no prior facial reconstruction experience is needed. Complete details and registration are available at https://forensic-facial-reconstruction.eventbrite.com.

The Manchester/British method of facial reconstruction was developed by Richard Neave in 1977 and, according to Kenyon, is the most accepted method for facial reconstruction today. This method has been used in many famous reconstructions including Phillip II of Macedon, Johann Sebastian Bach, Saint Nicholas, Robert the Bruce, and King Richard III.

Kenyon works in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology at Penn State, the University of Virginia, and the University of New Mexico, focusing on archeological work, including facial and heritage site reconstructions. She is currently developing the first forensic photography online certification program in the world, which will be available through Penn State’s World Campus.

The Arts and Design Research Incubator provides support for high-impact arts and design research projects. All programs are free and open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, take place in the ADRI (16 Borland Building).

For more information and to view the full listing of dialogues, workshops and events, visit http://adri.psu.edu/calendar. Connect with Penn State ADRI on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.