Derek Faust is an Academic Professional and the Art Studio Manager at the Lamar Dodd School of Art. During his time in self isolation, Faust has been using his home output lab to create NIH approved face shields to donate to health care professionals to help fight Covid-19. He has made over 100 face shields with his 3D printer, totaling over 350 hours of printing! 

Faust's primary studio at the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s Thomas Street Art Complex has been closed since March 27. He is instead working from home, using a spare room that was once an office/guest room. Faust received approval from the School of Art to bring home two 3D printers to run, in addition to his own to print PPE (face shields) for healthcare workers and other front line workers helping fight Covid-19.

Faust's original goal of 100 fully operational face shields was achieved at the end of April. Now he is working in collaboration with @shieldathens Shield Athens, a grass root group in Athens bringing fellow makers together to produce the much needed PPE. This project has taken a good deal of time, but been Faust states that it's been a great learning experience. Faust also explained that there is something very empowering about seeing people fill gaps where there is need. 

Learn more about the work that Faust has been making at home in his interview with the Lyndon House Arts Center, here. 

Faust is an interdisciplinary artist from Atlanta, GA now residing in Athens, GA. He explores relationships between objects and experiences. He received his MFA in Sculpture from Georgia State University and BFA from Oregon College of Art and Craft. Faust’s work has been exhibited nationally at Low Museum, Mint Gallery, Aqua Art Miami, ATHICA, Museum of Contemporary Art (GA), Solcumb Gallery (TN) and Herberger Institute for Design and Arts (AZ). In 2016, he was awarded a fellowship at Hambidge Art Center and shortlisted for the Working Art Project by the Contemporary Museum of Art of Georgia. Faust has taught sculpture, design and studio classes at Oregon College of Art and Craft, Georgia State University, and University of Georgia. He has extensive experience in woodworking, precast concrete and art studio safety.