MALVERN, Pa. — Rebecca Strzelec, Penn State laureate and professor of visual arts at Penn State Altoona, will present “Art + Engineering = Creative Problem Solving” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Penn State Great Valley.
Strzelec's talk will explore how engineering tools like computer-aided design, prototyping, and 3-D printing can influence and create works of art. Strzelec, who specializes in creating lightweight and wearable jewelry, has used 3-D technologies in her work since 1999. She will also discuss the work she completed on a four-year, $2 million National Science Foundation grant to examine how origami techniques can influence engineering.
Strzelec joined the Penn State faculty in 2002 and received Penn State Altoona’s Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creativity Activity Award in 2013. She has both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in fine art from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University.
As the Penn State laureate, Strzelec will travel to campuses throughout the Commonwealth and regularly attend events during the 2016-17 academic year. Established in 2008, this annual faculty honor is designed to bring greater attention to the arts, humanities, and University, as well as to the recipient’s work.
Strzelec’s presentation is free and open to the public, but advanced tickets are required. To reserve a space, visit the Great Valley website.