DEBRA DISMAN
Lives and works in Los Angeles
SELECTED SOLO/TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen: New Works, Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, Santa Monica, CA 2018
The Sheltering Book, (Installation), The Gallery At The Braid and assorted venues, Santa Monica / LA, CA 2016-17
The Art of the Book, The Santa Monica Public Library/Montana Branch, Santa Monica, CA 2016
In the Window, Paint Effects, Inc., San Francisco, CA 1999
Triplay, (Performance), Squiggle Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1989
Ceramics and Small Works, (with Judy Disman), The Artifactory Studio, San Francisco, CA 1988
Obsessive Civilization, (Installation), Squiggle Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1986
A Jewish Interpretation, The Jewish Community Library, San Francisco, CA 1983
From the Inside Out, (with Colette Crutcher), Goodman Artworks Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1979
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
The Artful Book, The Long Beach Museum of Art, 2019-2020 (Planned)
Open Studio, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA 2019 (Planned)
LA Open 2019, Tag Gallery, Juror: James Panozzo, Los Angeles, CA, 2018-19
Formation, The Guild of Book Workers traveling juried exhibition, 2018-19
Curators: Exhibitions Chair: Jackie Scott, Jurors: Coleen Curry, Graham Patten, Sarah Smith
June 15-Oct 21, 2018 - Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN
Nov 1- March 7, 2019 - Robert C. Williams Papermaking Museum, Atlanta, GA
March 15- May 25, 2019 - UCLA, Charles E. Young Research Library Lobby Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
June 1- July 27, 2019 - North Bennet Street School, Boston, MA
August 1-Oct , 2019 - University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Blackout, Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th, Juror: Daniel Foster, San Diego, CA 2018
"We The Artists", Open Studio, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA 2018
The Book as Art v6.0: Pulp, Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library,
Jurors: Lisa Beth Robinson, Stephanie Smith, Cynthia Nourse Thompson, Decatur, GA 2018
2018 California Open Exhibition, Tag Gallery, Juror: Kim Abeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2018
Amuse Yeux, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO 2018
Chapters: Book Arts in Southern California, Craft and Folk Art Museum,
Curators: Holly Jerger with Danielle Sommers, Los Angeles, CA 2017
F451 Art Exhibit, Mike Kelley Gallery, Beyond Baroque, Curator: LA Marler, Venice, CA 2016
Shown by The Word is Art Gallery, Culver City, CA 2013
Centennial Alumni Exhibition, The University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, Iowa City, IA 2006
Sparkanzoo, 12 Galaxies, San Francisco, CA 2005
Kinship, Art Independent Gallery, Lake Geneva, WI 1996
Shown by Kim Foster Gallery, New York City, NY 1996
Gallery Artists, Hand Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1996
Shown by The Gallery of Dr. Pangloss, San Francisco, CA 1995
Open House at the Studio, Private Residence, Chicago, IL 1994
Chairs as Art 3, The Gallery of Functional Art, Santa Monica, CA 1991
Life Support, One Market Plaza, (Limn Gallery), San Francisco, CA 1990
Creative Furnishings, Masterworks Gallery, Highland Park, IL 1989
Fun-iture, Masterworks Gallery, Highland Park, IL 1989
Artists Define Furniture, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL 1989
Flock of Furniture, Ariana Gallery, Birmingham, MI 1989
The Show You’ve Been Waiting For! Chiaroscuro Gallery, Chicago, IL 1989
Fortunate Discoveries, Vintage Pine, LTD., Chicago, IL 1988
Shown by The Plumline Gallery, Evanston, IL 1988
Small Works Show, Ward Nasse Gallery, New York City, NY 1988
Jewish Women in the Arts, Hebrew Union College, New York City, NY 1987
Works on Paper, Ward Nasse Gallery, New York City, NY 1987
Jewish Themes: Northern California Artists, The Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA 1987
The Salon Show, Ward Nasse Gallery, New York City, NY 1985
Women’s Valentine Show, Le Petit Café, San Francisco, CA 1984
Faculty Exhibition, The De Young Museum Art School, San Francisco, CA 1980, 1981
Bay Area Artists, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Downtown Center, San Francisco, CA 1981
Colab Art: Artists in Cooperation, 2005 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 1980
I. Mannequin, 1111 Gallery, The Goodman Building, San Francisco, CA 1980
Printmakers Exhibition, Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA 1979, 1980, 1981
SELECTED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
Chromatic Interactions, Interactive Artist’s Book for Chapters: Book Arts in Southern California,
Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA 2016
The Land of Oshun, 300 Sq. Ft. Exterior Mural, Oshun Center, HAFCI, Turk @ Taylor Street, SF, CA 2002
The Donor Tree, 40 Sq. Ft. Interior Mural, Planning for Elders in the Central City, (P.E.C.C.), SF, CA 2002
The Donor Recognition Arch, Pillars and Crosspiece, Maitri Compassionate Car, (Hospice), SF, CA 1998
Art Furniture for clients in California, New York and Chicago, 1988-2016
Ketuba Border Designs for couples across the United Sates, 1980s-1990s
The Łódź Ghetto, Collaged Panels, Holocaust Center of Northern CA, San Francisco, CA 1987
RESIDENCIES/GUEST ARTIST
18th Street Arts Center, Local Artist-In-Residence, 1653 18th Street, Studio #1, Santa Monica, CA, 2018-Present
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Artist-in-Residence, Granada Hill Branch Library/LAPL, LA, CA, 2018-19
Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, Studio Artist-in-Residence, Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Santa Monica, CA 2018
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Artist-in-Residence, Verdugo Hills High School, Los Angeles, CA, 2017
The Big Read in LA, Featured Artist, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, CA 2016
The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Guest Artist, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, CA 2016
Theatre of Hearts/Youth First, Artist-in-Residence, La Vida West, 2013-2014; Diamond Bar Library, 2014
John Gill Elementary School, Artist-in-Residence, Redwood City, CA 1997-1998
“Focus on the Arts", Artist-in-Residence, Highland Park High School, Highland Park, II, 1989
The Bay Area Discovery Museum, Artist-in-Residence, Corte Madera, CA 1987
San Francisco Day School, Guest Artist, San Francisco, CA 1983
AWARDS/GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS
WORD Grant 2016: The Bruce Geller Memorial Prize, Artist Grant for “The Sheltering Book”, Los Angeles, CA 2016
The Firehouse Theater Company, Creative Programming Development Grant, Los Angeles, CA 2013
The Bay Area Women’s Journal, Featured Author, Cypress Publishing, San Francisco, CA 2011
Mayor’s Office of Community Development, (Women’s Grant Program), M.O.C.D. Grant, San Francisco, CA 2007
The Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Co-Winner: Best Business Plan Award, San Francisco, CA 2006
Amsterdam Art ASK Program, Educator’s Grant, San Francisco, CA 1999
The Community Arts Fund, (The Philanthropic Venture Foundation), Project Grant, Oakland, CA 1996
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Visual Arts Residency Fellowship, Temecula, CA 1990
The San Francisco Education Fund, Five Project Grants, San Francisco, CA 1982-89
The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, Fellowship Grant, New York City, NY 1987-1988
The L.J. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, Two Project Grants, One Travel Grant, Oakland, CA 1984-1986
B. Dalton Bookseller Foundation, Three Program Grants, Minneapolis, MN. 1981-1985
OWNER / PRINCIPAL OF ARTIFACTORY STUDIO
1997-2017
INSTITUTIONAL / NONPROFIT
All Saints Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA
The Briggs Residence, Los Angeles, CA
Cathedral School for Boys, San Francisco, CA
The Community Living Campaign, “Seeds of Hope”, San Francisco, CA
Dickens House 2005, 2007, (Designer Showcases), Burlingame, Hillsborough, CA
Dress for Success, San Francisco, CA
The El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, Antioch, CA
The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics (Oshun Center), San Francisco, CA
Town School for Boys, San Francisco, CA
HOSPITALITY
The Amsterdam Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Barney’s Hamburgers, (Marina Location), San Francisco, CA
Benihana Restaurant, Cupertino, CA
Benny’s Tacos, Santa Monica, CA
The Biltmore Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt, San Francisco, CA
California Crisp Restaurant, Stonestown Mall Galleria, San Francisco, CA
Renaissance Stanford Court Hotel, San Francisco, CA
COMMERCIAL
3C Marketing Group, Greenwood Village, CO
921 Front Street, (Commercial Building), San Francisco, CA
Art Campos Maintenance and Repair Service, San Francisco, CA
HGTV Curb Appeal: The Block, San Francisco, CA
JB Partners Group, Inc, Tarzana, CA
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, San Francisco, CA
Lawrence Ko Leong Architectural Design Imaging, San Francisco, CA
Modamas Fine Painting, San Francisco, CA
The Polished Lounge, (Nail Salon), San Francisco, CA
On the Fly, (Men’s Store), San Francisco, CA
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA
Soulful Pilates, San Francisco, CA
TRG Architects, Burlingame, CA
ART FURNITURE
1989-1999
Art Options Gallery, Java Beach Café, Smile Gallery, Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Jordan McLannahan, Ltd., Lake Forest; Material Possessions, Chicago / Winnetka; Pas De Chat Gallery, Chicago; IL
Milagro De Taos Gallery, Taos; Tukeys 2 Showroom, Santa Fe; N
TEACHING ARTIST
Expressive Therapies Summit Los Angeles, with Josie Abbenante - ATR-BC, LPAT, Los Angeles, CA, 2018
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA 2016-Present
The Silverlake Independent JCC, Los Angeles, CA 2016-Present
Verdugo Hills High School, Los Angeles, CA 2016-Present
Community Corporation of Santa Monica, The Craft and Folk Art Museum, Fowler Museum At UCLA, 2015-Present
The City of Santa Monica Community and Cultural Services including: CREST Enrichment,
Community Classes and Camps, Virginia Avenue Park, Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean Street, 2014 - Present
Marlborough Summer School, (Marlborough School), Los Angeles, CA 2014-Present
The Santa Monica Public Library; The LA Public Library; The County of Los Angeles Public Library, 2012-Present
Grand Park Downtown Bookfest, The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Jewish Women’s Theatre, Santa Monica, CA 2016
La Vida West Pregnant Minor Program, Los Angeles County Division of Alternative Education, Lawndale, CA, 2013-14
The Word is Art Gallery, Culver City, CA; The Studio of Sue Ann Robinson, Long Beach, CA 2013
Beth Shir Shalom, Santa Monica, CA 2012-2013; The Ebell of Los Angeles, 2012
The Community Living Campaign, San Francisco, CA 2010, 2011
Multicultural Children’s Arts Program, (MCAP), Richmond District Neighborhood Center, S.F. CA 2007, 2009
Rosenberg Early Childhood Center, 2003-2005; PAINT for Home and Studio, San Francisco, CA 2001-2002
Fairmont Elementary School, Pacifica, CA 1998-2001; Paint Effects, Inc., San Francisco, CA 1997-2001
The Sunset Neighborhood Beacon, San Francisco, CA 1996-2001
Foxx Elementary School; Kollage Community School for the Arts, Belmont, CA 1996-1998
Claire Lilienthal School, San Francisco, CA 1996; Project YES, East Bay Conservation Corps. Oakland, CA 1994
Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, Walnut Creek, CA 1991
Redding Elementary School, San Francisco, CA 1981-1989, St. Philips School, San Francisco, CA 1988
The Hebrew Academy, Brandeis-Hillel Day School, 1987-1988; The Jewish Community Library, 1983-1988, S.F. CA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; The Artifactory Studio, San Francisco, CA 1983-1987
SummerGATE, Great Adventures Through Education, San Francisco, CA 1986
The San Francisco Public Library and assorted West Coast venues, 1980-1985
The De Young Museum Art School, San Francisco, CA 1979-1983
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
"We Write the Book", Community Members, The Granada Hills Branch Library, LA, CA 2019 (Planned)
"We Right the Book", Verdugo Hills High School Students, Verdugo Hills High School Library, LA, CA 2018
"We Right the Book",Verdugo Hills High School Seniors, The Sunland-Tujunga Library Public Library, LA, CA 2017
Work-in-Progress Exhibitions, Theatre of Hearts Residency Students, Los Angeles County sites, 2013-2014
"The Fairmont Art Show", Fairmont School Elementary School Students, Fairmont School, Pacifica, CA 1999-2000
"The Quilt Show", John Gill School Elementary School Students, Government Center Gallery, Redwood City, CA 1998
"The Fish Tank", Belmont School District Elementary School Students, Belmont City Hall, Belmont, CA 1997
"The Photography Show", South S.F. Boys and Girls Club Members, West Orange Library, South SF, CA 1997
Building Medallions, Claremont Middle School Students, S.P.C.A. Building, Oakland, CA 1994
Student Art Shows, Community, Financial, Cultural, Hospitality and Retail Venues, San Francisco, CA 1979-1989
ARTS PROGRAM MANAGER
Kollage Community School for the Arts, Outreach Coordinator, Belmont, CA 1997-1998
South San Francisco Boys and Girls Club, Assistant Cultural Enrichment Director, 1995-1997
The Museum Experience, Redding Elementary School, Co-Director, San Francisco, CA 1988-1989
A Model Jewish Arts Education Program, The San Francisco Bureau of Jewish Education, Director, 1987-1989
The Creative Arts in Education Project, Redding Elementary School, Co-Director, San Francisco, CA 1983-1987
The Art of Storymaking Program, The Friends of the SF Public Library, Director, San Francisco, CA 1980-1985
ARTS CONSULTANT
Creative Paint, San Francisco, CA 2011; Kelly-Moore Paints, Mountain View, CA 2004
ICI Dulux Paint Center, San Francisco, CA 2001-2002; San Francisco Bay Area Stencillers, Belmont, CA 1998
Lehrhouse Judaica, Berkeley, CA 1991; The Bureau of Jewish Education, San Francisco, CA 1987-1989
The CA School-Age Children’s Consortium, San Jose, CA; The Holocaust Center of Northern CA, S.F., CA,
The SF Education Fund, Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro, CA; Temple B’nai Sholom, Walnut Creek, CA, 1987
The SF Museum of Modern Art; Great Adventures Through Education, San Francisco, CA 1986
The LB Authors Festival, Reading Specialist Seminar, Seattle, WA; Teacher/Librarian Seminar, San Diego, CA 1985
The California Media and Library Educators Conference, Oakland, CA 1984
The San Francisco Teachers Center, San Francisco, CA 1983
Lad’n’ Lassie Cooperative Nursery School, San Francisco, CA 1981
Learning and Education Through the Arts Program, (L.E.A.P.), San Francisco, CA 1980
WRITING/MEDIA
Artissima, Blog of ArtiFactory Studio, Owner and Author, San Francisco/Santa Monica, CA 2010-2018
HGTV Curb Appeal, "It's All In The Details”, Episode, Participating Artist, (Filmed), Johlt Productions, Emeryville, CA 2011
Cre8tive Compass Magazine, “The Color Muse” Monthly Segment Writer, REP Media, Jacksonville, FL 2010-2012
Artistically Speaking Talk Show, “The Color Muze”, Monthly Segment Presenter, REP Media, Jacksonville, FL 2010-2012
Artsy Shark, "How a Decorative Painter Built a Business", Two Part Interview, (Interviewed), Punta Gorda, FL 2010
Artistically Speaking Talk Show, Blog Talk Radio Interview, (Interviewed), REP Media, Jacksonville, FL 2010
Bay Area Women’s Journal, Monthly Expert Columnist - Decorative Painting, Cypress Publishing, S.F. CA 2010-2011
Sunset Books, Complete Home Decorating, Book, (Work Included in), Menlo Park, CA 2001
Kollage Community School for the Arts, "Policies and Procedures for Artists Off-site", Handbook, (Wrote), , Belmont, CA 1997
The Artifactory Studio, "Recycling the Arts", Project Guide, (Wrote), San Francisco, CA 1993
Redding School, "The Museum Guide", (Wrote with Dr. Patricia Crowley and G.A.T.E. students), San Francisco, CA 1989
The Bureau of Jewish Education, "Holiday Arts Curriculum", (Wrote), San Francisco, CA 1989
Redding School, "Creative Arts in Education, Manuel", (Wrote with Dr. Patricia Crowley), , San Francisco, CA 1987
The Holocaust Center of Northern California, "Catalogue of Art Holdings", (Researched/Wrote), , San Francisco, CA 1987
Instructor Magazine, "Art Making Kids Happen", Article, (Wrote with Dr. Patricia Crowley), New York City, NY 1986
KTVU-TV, "On the Square", Television Interview, (Interviewed), Oakland, CA. 1985
The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, "Puppetry Guide", How-to Manuel, (Wrote), 1984 /
"The Art of Storymaking", Manuel, (Wrote), Videotape, (Demonstrated), 1982-1984
KRON-TV, "SuperKids on the Move", Student Television Spot, (Worked with Featured Students), San Francisco, CA 1982
The Owen Spann Show, "Why Johnny Won’t Read", Radio Panel Interview, (Interviewed), San Francisco, CA 1981
The De Young Museum Art School, "A Classroom Guide to Puppets and Puppetry", (Wrote), San Francisco, CA 1981
SELECTED PRESS
Santa Monica Mirror, Weekly, Life and Arts Section, April 2, 2018, "A Hum of Peace", Article and Photographs by Michael Ray
Times-Herald, Daily, Local News Section, May 6, 2007, “Springstowne sixth-grader wins art contest”, Article and
Photograph, p. A3.
SFDC News, Magazine, San Francisco Design Center, Summer/Fall, 2003.02, Photograph, (Have a Heart Event 2003), p. 40.
Peninsula Independent, Weekly, January 23, 1996, “Budding artists show their stuff”, Text and Photographs, p. 8.
Image Magazine, The Whole Bay Catalogue, The San Francisco Examiner, Daily, May 1990, “Artfully Seated”,
Article and Photographs, p. 10.
The Chicago Tribune, Daily, Home Section, February 5, 1989, “And it works, too. Furniture takes shape with a touch of fantasy”,
Feature Article, section 15, p. 5.
The Highland Park News/Voice, Weekly, April 20, 1989, “Artist Visits HPHS”, Article and Photograph, Front Page.
The Northern California Jewish Bulletin, Weekly, Entertainment/The Arts Section, September 6, 1985,
“Hand-colored tapestries show artist’s Jewish spirit”, Article and Photograph, p. 20.
The San Francisco Bay Guardian, Weekly, May 8, 1980, “Neon and Mannequins”, Feature Article, p. 9.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Alyson Stanfield / Art Biz Coach, “Art Biz Bootcamp”, Art Marketing Training, Online (Golden, CO), 2015
The Annenberg—Inner-City Arts Professional Development Program, "Creativity in the Classroom”/"Creativity Practicum”, LA, CA 2015
UCLArts and Healing, Social and Emotional Arts Certificate Program, Certification, Santa Monica, CA 2013-2014
The Long Beach Museum of Art, The Word is Art Gallery, (LA), Book Arts LA, Book Arts Studies, 2012, 2013, 2015
The International Assoc. of Colour Consultants/Designers, Certification, Color Training, San Diego, CA 2009-2011
The Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Certificate, Entrepreneurship Training, San Francisco, CA 2005-2009
City College of San Francisco, Adobe Suite; Photography; Printmaking Studies, San Francisco, CA 1979-2007
Paint Effects, Inc., Decorative Painting Training: Gilding, Glazing, Paint Effects, Color, Mosaics, S.F. CA 1997-2001
The University of Iowa, B.A.(Painting), cum laud, Undergraduate Writers Workshop (Poetry), Iowa City, IA 1978
L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts, The Institute for American Universities, Aix-en-Provence, France 1976-77 (Fluent in French)
ASSOCIATIONS
The Guild of Book Workers, California Chapter, Member, 2015-Present
International Assoc. of Colour Consultants/Designers-North America, Associate Member, 2011-Present
Business Network International, Pacific Heights Synergy Chapter, Member, Leadership, SF, CA 2007-2009
Maitri Compassionate Care, (Hospice), 1997-2010; The Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, 2005-2009;
The Community Living Campaign, 2008; Philanthropy by Design (SF Design Center) 2003; Volunteer