Art in Uncommon Places Creates Face Shields For Healthcare Workers

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Times of crisis tend to bring communities together and during the COVID-19 pandemic, San Angelo is working to take care of those that care for everyone else.

The widespread shortages of personal protection equipment have been a constant struggle for healthcare workers, first responders, and nursing homes. In an effort to make sure they are protected, Art in Uncommon Places is working with community members to create face shields for workers who need them the most. 

Working in collaboration with Shannon Medical Center and San Angelo Community Medical center, the organization was able to identify the biggest need the healthcare community has at the moment.

The effort involves a variety of organizations that are collaborating to ensure the face shields are completed promptly and with high-quality materials.

Finding materials isn't always easy, but with different groups working in coordination,  it's possible to create essential personal protection equipment.

"Trying to find materials is hard, but there is an exponential amount of people helping," said Julie Raymond, Founder of Art in Uncommon Places. "I could go on and on about how many people are in this."

The Tom Green County Library, led by Wanda Green, is securing 3D printers that produce brims for the face shields. Community members and businesses that have the machines are taking to the task of creating the brims to be donated. The process is lengthy and can take between 3 to 5 hours to print a single brim. 

The Texas Tech Health Science Center joined the cause and donated 100 brims on Tuesday afternoon. The brims were flown to San Angelo aboard an Angel Flight. The generous donation will allow nearly 300 face masks to be created.

Watch: Angel Flight Delivers 100 Face Shield Brims to San Angelo

The Center is also leading the way in identifying what communities need PPE and guiding organizations like Art in Uncommon Places to ensure supplies are directed to where they are needed the most.

Anyone with a 3D printer is invited to join the effort in creating more brims. Filament donated by the Goodyear Proving Grounds will be made available to those interested in participating. Tom Green County Library has a collection of files to print the brims for different types of printers. Completed brims are dropped off at the Stephen's Central Library and then delivered to the next phase of the project.

The plastic that protects the face is being cut by Harrison Roofing and McCoy's and Lowe's has donated foam tape. Motley Wood Designs is designing the CNC routing brims and will be sharing the design with the Texas Tech Health Science Center for free.

Turner Collection is donating much-needed elastic, Principal LED has donated plastic that is essential for these shields, and the trustees at the W3 camp will be assembling the face shields, as approved by Representative Drew Darby.

"The generosity has been mind-blowing," says Raymond.

Art in Uncommon Places had the opportunity to begin providing PPE for the health community thanks to a grant donated by the San Angelo Area Foundation.

Those interested in supporting the cause can donate to Art in Uncommon Places by reaching out to the organization directly.

The non-profit is also setting up a community garden that will donate all produce to the local food bank and Rust Street Ministries. The garden space needs a fence and a lock and volunteers to tend to the produce, all are invited to participate in this project as well.