Spring break is coming, and a small group of artists and community members will spend it sculpting the faces of real unidentified cold case victims from skull replicas—and the work they make could help solve a case.
The Forensic Art of Facial Reconstruction workshop returns to Ringling College’s main campus March 9–13, 2026, running Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. Led by Joe Mullins, Senior Forensic Imaging Specialist at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and one of the foremost forensic artists in the country, this five-day, hands-on studio experience is unlike anything else on campus.
Here’s what actually happens.
Participants work from 3D-printed replicas of real skulls sourced from medical examiner offices, using tissue depth markers, anatomy lessons, and careful observation to sculpt the faces of unidentified cold case victims in clay. The busts created during these workshops have helped crack real cases. A Ringling College grad who participated in a previous session helped identify a victim whose family had been waiting for answers.
Mullins has been running forensic workshops nationwide since 2015. Previous workshops have directly contributed to case closures nationwide. The work made here doesn’t just sit in a gallery—it gets sent to sheriff’s offices and pushed to media outlets in hopes that someone, somewhere, will recognize a face.
The workshop is open to all majors, all experience levels, and members of the community. All supplies are included. Space is limited—this is a small, intensive experience, and spots go fast.
If you’ve ever wanted to use your skills for something that genuinely matters, this is the moment. Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait to see if something better comes up. Register now.
The Forensic Art of Facial Reconstruction March 9–13, 2026 | Monday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm Ringling College Main Campus All supplies included. Open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.
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