DEBRA DISMAN
Lives and works in Los Angeles
SELECT SOLO/TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
“I Can’t I Won’t I Will I Do”, ReflectSpace, Glendale, CA, Curators: Anahid and Ara Oshagan 2023
Concurrencies: Charlotte Salomon and Eva Hesse, 18th Street Arts Center, Studio 1, Santa Monica, CA 2022
Exhibition design and curatorial support: Frida Cano
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
SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Brand 51 Annual National Exhibition of Works on Paper, Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA, Juror: Ara Oshagan, 2023 (catalogue)
Safekeeping: SDA Juried Members' Exhibition, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, OK, Juror: Anita Fields, 2023
In Tandem, (Collaboration with Luciana Abait), The Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA, Juror: Peter Michael Martin, 2023
Oh, Mother, Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI, Juror: Nadiah Rivera Fellah, 2023
Fantastic Fibers 2023, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, Juror: Rena Wood, 2023 (catalogue)
A Common Thread, ArtShare LA, Los Angeles, CA, Curation: Bahah Danesh/Beth Stryker, 2023
Aries Rising, (six women show), The Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA, Curator: Virginia Arce 2023
Tenuous Threads, Atlantic Gallery, New York City, NY, Juror: Patricia Miranda 2023 (catalogue)
Objects of Agency, Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI, Juror: Hera Gallery, (year-long virtual exhibition) 2023
(Re)Imagining Home: On Care For Our Common Home, !8th Street Arts Center Kitchen Lab, Santa Monica, CA,
Curators: Venus Lau and Emma Balda 2022-23
Swept Away: Love Letter to a Surrogate(s), Main Beach, East Hampton, NY/Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica, CA,
Curators: Warren Neidich, Christina Mossaides Strassfield, Anuradha Vikram and Rene Petropoulos 2022-23
Yarn/Rope/String, New Bedford Art Museum, New Bedford, MA, Juror: Michael F. Rohde/Organized by Fiber Art Now 2022-23
Telling Stories, Shoebox Arts, (online), Los Angeles, CA, Juror and Curator: Michelle Robinson 2022
Fifty Years of Fiber Art, Kelso Art Center, University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, Juror: Paula Owen 2022 Second Place Award (catalogue)
Surface Design Association Southwest Regional Exhibition 2022, Tubac Center for the Arts, Tubac, AZ, Juror: Annie Lopez 2022
Small Sculpture Survey Part 2, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL, Curators: Susan Aurinko and Susan Blackman (Curators Gone Rogue) 2022
Yarn/Rope/String, Fiber Art Now, (print/online), Eugene, OR, Juror: Michael F. Rohde 2022
PULP: Book and Paper Arts, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA, Jurors: Alicia Bailey, Helen Hiebert 2022 Third Place Award
PAPERWORKS 2022, B.J. Spoke Gallery, (online), Huntington, NY, (online), Juror: Kiko Aebi 2022
All Media 2022, (Collaboration with Luciana Abait), The Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA , Juror: Joseph Daniel Valencia 2022
Alternative Fiber, The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, Lubbock, TX, Juror: Karena Bennett 2022 Honorable Mention
Please Touch, Blue Roof Studios, Los Angeles, CA, Curators: Kristine Schomaker, Sheli Silverio 2022
Book / Art / Artifact, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA, 2022 (catalogue)
Fantastic Fibers 2022, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, Juror: Matt Collingsworth, 2022 (catalogue)
Collective Acts of Peace/Actos colectivas de paz, Slipstream Galleries, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA, Curator: Frida Cano 2022
35th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, Juror: Jennifer Dasal 2022 (catalogue)
Material III, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA, Juror: Ryan Lytle, Curator: Amanda Bradley 2022 Honorable Mention
Expo 41, B.J. Spoke Gallery, Huntington, NY, Juror: Sewon Kang 2022
2022 International Juried Exhibition, The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminister, NJ Juror: Erin Jenoa Gilbert 2022
Mostly Monochrome, WoArt, (online), Curator: Christina Massey 2021
Tricksters and Transformation, Helms Design Center/Textile Arts LA, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Carol Shaw-Sutton 2021
Brand 49 Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, (Collaboration with Luciana Abait), Brand Library and Art Center,
Glendale, CA, Juror: Marvella Muro 2021 (catalogue)
Reflection, The Korean Cultural Center/Launch LA, Los Angeles, CA, Jurors: Sunook Park, Terrell Tilford 2021
2021 California Open, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Gronk Nicandro 2021
The Book as Art v9.0: Muse, Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library, Decatur, GA, Jurors: Anna Embree,
Beth Shoemaker, Sande Wascher-James, 2021 (catalogue)
Liminal, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR, Curator: Jennifer Gillia Cutshall 2021 (catalogue)
Backroads: Art, Less Traveled, Vestige Concept Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA, Curator: Alexander Sands 2021
The Fine Art of Denim, Pollak Gallery, Monmouth University Center for the Arts, W. Long Branch, NJ, Juror: Vincent DiMattio 2021
2021 Los Angeles Open, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Jurors: Gallery Staff 2021
2021 International Art of the Book, Rochester Public Library, Rochester, NY, 2021 (catalogue)
conVERGEnce, MarinMOCA, Novato, CA, Juror: Susan Snyder, 2021
Turmoil and Transformation, Hera Gallery and Educational Foundation, Wakefield RI,
Juror: Francine Weiss, 2021
Core New Art Space: A Thousand Words, Core New Art Space, Lakewood, CO, Juror: Richard Chamberlain, 2021
Content, The Artery, Davis, CA, Jurors: Nikki Thompson, Adele Shaw, 2021
Fantastic Fibers 2021, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, Juror: Sandra Johnson, 2021 (catalogue)
Insight, The Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA, Juror: Grace Hopkins, 2021
Recovery Justice: Being Well, 18th Street Art Center, Airport Campus, Santa Monica, CA, Curator: Frida Cano 2021
Home Sick, The Trolly Barn Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY, Juror: Mary-Kay Lombino/Youth Jurors 2021
small works – BIG TALENT, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, Curator: Lori McBride 2021
Identity, Art Fluent, online, Curator: Amy Matteson Neill 2020-21
Illuminate, Springboard Arts Chicago, Inaugural Exhibition, Chicago, IL, Curator: Gallery Team 2020-21
Facing Darkness, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA, Curator: Frida Cano 2020-21
Chasing Ghosts V: Art that Pierces the Veil through Remembrance, Legacy, & Beyond, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery,
Portland, OR, Curator: Jennifer Gillia Cutshall 2020 (catalogue)
Building Networks of Empathy, 18th Street Art Center, Airport Campus, Santa Monica, CA, Curator: Frida Cano 2020
2020 California Open, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Kate Mothes 2020
Transition, Launch LA/Tarfest 2020, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Holly Jerger 2020
The Book as Art v.8.0: Infinity, Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library, Decatur, GA, Jurors: Bexx Caswell-Olson,
Ann Kresge, Joe Sanders 2020 (catalogue)
Material Identity, Artworks Center for Contemporary Art, Loveland, CO, Jurors: Jiseon Lee Isbara, Jessica Kooiman Parker 2020
Drive By Art (Public Art in This Moment of Social Distancing) Los Angeles, 18th Street Arts Center/18th St. Campus,
Organized by Warren Neidich, Renée Petropoulos, Michael Slenske and Anuradha Vikram 2020
Expressions 2020, Art Centre Gallery, San Rafael, CA, Juror: Andrea Schwartz 2020
3rd Annual Spring Small Works Show, Vanessa Lacy Gallery, Kansas City, MO, Juror/Curator: Vanessa Lacy 2020
Drawing Connections, 18th Street Art Center, North and South Galleries, Airport Campus, Santa Monica, CA, Curator: Frida Cano 2020
The HeArt of the Book, South Gallery at Artworks Loveland, Loveland, CO, Jurors: Alicia Bailey, Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski, Ph.D., D.Sc. 2020
2020 LA Open Exhibition, Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Juri Koll 2019-20
The Artful Book, The Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, CA 2019-20 (catalogue)
Fresh Art, Art Centre Gallery, San Rafael, CA, Juror: Donna Seager 2019
Book and Paper Arts, UI Kokomo Downtown Gallery, Kokomo, IN, Juror: Anita Garza 2019
Artists Who Teach, Ellington-White Contemporary / FSU Rosenthal Art Gallery, Fayetteville, NC, Juror: Dwight Smith 2019
The Book as Art v.7.0: Wonders, Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library, Decatur, GA, Jurors: Denise Bookwalter,
Mari Eckstein Gower, Andrew Huot 2019 (catalogue)
Brand 47 Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA, Juror: Alma Ruiz 2019 (catalogue)
All Stitched Up, Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, Jurors: Catherine Alice Michaelis, Jane A. Carlin,
Diana Weymar 2019 (catalogue)
Offal, The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Jurors: Ron Finley, Julio César Morales, Genevieve Erin O’Brien 2019
2019 LA Open Exhibition, Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA Juror: James Panozzo 2018-19
Formation, The Guild of Book Workers traveling exhibition: The Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN;
The Robert C. Williams Papermaking Museum, Atlanta, GA; The Charles E. Young Research Library Lobby Gallery, UCLA; Los Angeles, CA;
The North Bennet Street School, Boston, MA; The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Curators: Exhibitions Chair- Jackie Scott, Jurors- Coleen Curry, Graham Patten, Sarah Smith 2018-19 (catalogue)
BlackOut, Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th, San Diego, CA Juror: Daniel Foster 2018
We The Artists, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA 2018
The Book as Art v6.0: Pulp, Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library, Decatur, GA,, Jurors: Lisa Beth Robinson, Stephanie Smith,
Cynthia Nourse Thompson 2018 (catalogue)
2018 California Open Exhibition, Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Juror: Kim Abeles 2018
Amuse Yeux, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO 2018
Chapters: Book Arts in Southern California, Craft and Folk Art Museum, (now Craft Contemporary), LA, CA Curators: Holly Jerger
with Danielle Sommers 2017
F451 Art Exhibit, Mike Kelley Gallery, Beyond Baroque, Venice, CA, Curator: LA Marler 2016
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
Kim Foster Gallery, New York City, NY 1996
Gallery Artists, Hand Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1996
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
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 1980/81
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 1979/80/81
SELECT COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC ART
“Unfolding Possibilities”, Artists’ Book installation, 18th Street Arts Center/LA County Dept. of Mental Health We Rise,
campaign, Santa Monica/Los Angeles, CA 2021
"Chromatic Interactions", Interactive Artists' Book for "Chapters: Book Arts in Southern California",
Craft and Folk Art Museum, (now Craft Contemporary), Los Angeles, CA 2017
“The Sheltering Book”, Life-sized (traveling) Book installation, Jewish Institute for Creativity, AJU, Los Angles, 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 Care, (Hospice), SF, CA 1998
Art Furniture for clients in California, New York and Chicago, 1988-2016
Ketuba Border Designs for clients across the United Sates, 1980-1990
"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, West Valley Regional Branch Library/LAPL, 2022-23
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Artist-in-Residence, Panorama City & West Valley Regional Branch Libraries/LAPL, 2020-21/2021-22
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Artist-in-Residence, Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library/LAPL, 2019-2020
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Artist-in-Residence, Granada Hill Branch Library/LAPL, 2018-19/2019-20
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, VAPA Program 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, Lawndale, CA, 2013-2014; Diamond Bar Library/LACO, DB, CA 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, IL 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
Surface Design Association Award of Excellence, Surface Design Association, Albuquerque, NM, 2022
Santa Monica Artist Fellowship, Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Santa Monica, CA 2021-22
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
ARTIST TALKS/PRESENTATIONS
“A Common Thread” Exhibition Artists’ Talk, Baha Danesh/Beth Stryker, ArtShare LA, May 4, 2023
“Aires Rising” Exhibition Artists Panel/Virginia Arce, The Irvine Fine Arts Center, May 13, 2023
"Telling Stories", Artists' Talk: exhibition artists/Shoebox Projects Kristine Schomaker/curator Michelle Robinson, October 22, 2022
“A Wrench Thrown in the Works: Flexibility and Scaling Lesson Plans and Gallery Experiences”, Panel Discussion:
Beatriz Jaramillo/Katie Lipsitt/ Debra Disman (Teaching Artists), Los Angeles Museum of Art, June 8, 2022
“Mining Peace in a Troubled World and How Artists Survive”, Panel Discussion: Debra Disman/ David McDonald/Labkhand Olfatmanesh,
moderated by A. Moret, 18th Street Arts Center, May 22, 2022
Artists Who AND..., ”Artists...giving back to the creative community”, Debra Disman/Lois Bender/Laurey Bennett-Levy, moderated by Christina Massey, Clubhouse, November 17, 2021
The Book as Art v9: MUSE, Artists’ Talk: Debra Disman/Kyle Clark/Carole Kunstadt, The Georgia Center for the Book, September 1, 2021
Debra Disman’s “Window Treatment”, Video, The Georgia Center for the Book, August 30, 2021
“Unfolding Possibilities”, Video Screening, LEFT/ RIGHT/ HERE, 18th Street Arts Center, July 10, 2021
The Book as Art v8: Infinity Artist Showcase, Artists’ Talk, The Georgia Center for the Book, October 28, 2020
Debra Disman: “Maximum Security” and “Prairie”, Artist Talk, The Georgia Center for the Book, October 27, 2020
Debra Disman’s “Prairie” Close-up, Video, The Georgia Center for the Book, October 23, 2020
Debra Disman’s “Maximum Security” Close-up, Video, The Georgia Center for the Book, October 23, 2020
Textile Slam, Artist Talk, Textile Arts LA, October 27, 2020
Material Identity, Artists' Talk: exhibition artists/curator Sarah LaBarre/juror Jessica Kooiman, July 30, 2020
The Art of the Book, Artist Talk, The Montana Branch/Santa Monica Public Library, February 27, 2016
The Color Muze, Monthly Presenter, Artistically Speaking Talk Show, REP Media, Jacksonville, FL, 2010-12
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Spring Exhibitions at Irvine Fine Arts Center Begin March 11”, press release, City of Irvine, March 2, 2023, online
Rachel Philipson, “Hera Gallery exhibit takes aim at healthcare and women’s rights”, article, The Independent, February 18, 2023, online
“Solo Exhibition Presented By Debra Disman”, article, Crescenta Valley Weekly, February 9, 2023, online
Atlantic Gallery, “Tenuous Threads”, exhibition catalogue, (PDF and print), p. 34, January 23, 2023
“Objects of Agency: Hera Gallery holds virtual exhibition through 2023”, article, Cranston Herald, January 23, 2023, online
“Art Beat: ‘Yarn/Rope/String “Showcases the Fine Art of Craft at New Bedford Art Museum”, article, The Herald News, January 21, 2023, online
Nancy Burns-Fusaro, “Hera Gallery opens new year with twelve-month virtual exhibition centered on women’s’ health care”, article,
The Westerly Sun, January 5, 2023, online
“Conversations with Debra Disman”, interview, VoyageLA, Inspiring Stories, December 12, 2022, online
Uzumah Ugwu, “Artist Spotlight On Debra Disman”, article, Arte Realizzata, December 5, 2022, online
Jasmina Wellinghoff, Q&A with Fiber Artist Susie Monday, chair of the “50 Years of Fiber– Art Exhibit” – ", Arts Alive San Antonio, November 7, 2022, online
18th Street Arts Center, 18th Street Arts Center 2021-2022, catalogue, Santa Monica, CA, 2022, pp. 78-79
"Yarn/Rope/String 2022", Fiber Art Now Magazine, Summer, 2022, Eugene, OR, 2022, p. 64
Uzumah Ugwu, “A Fruitful Conversation with Debra Disman”, interview, Arte Realizzata, July 21, 2022, online
Philip Hartigan, “Six of the Best”, interview, PRAETERITA, April 25, 2022, online
Guild of Book Workers, Book/Art/Artifact, exhibition catalogue, The San Francisco Center for the Book, 2022, pp. 20-21, 43.
McNeese State University, 35th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition, exhibition catalogue, 2022
The Yeiser Art Center, Fantastic Fibers 2022, exhibition catalogue, 2022, PDF, p. 10
Christina Massey, “Curated Work”, All She Makes Magazine, Winter 2021, Issue IV, Lansing, MI, 2021, p. 104-5
Rochester Public Library, 10th Anniversary Art of the Book & Paper, exhibition catalogue, Rochester, NY, 2021, p. 7
18th Street Arts Center, 18th Street Arts Center 2020-2021, catalogue, Santa Monica, CA, 2021, pp. 48, 114
Jennifer Gillia Cutshall, Liminal, exhibition book, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR, 2021
Brand Associates, Brand 49 Works On Paper, exhibition catalogue, Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale, CA, 2021, p. 5
Nicole Borgenicht, Where Compassion Intersects, The Argonaut, September 1, 2021, online
Jack Simon, Artist Fellowships Presented to 5 Santa Monica Residents, Culver City Observer, August 19, 2021, online
Artist Fellowships Presented to Five Nationally-Known Santa Monica Artists, Guest Author, The Santa Monica Daily Press,
August 16, 2021, online
Santa Monica Artist Fellowship Program Award Announcement, By Anita, Canyon News, August 12, 2021, online
City Awards Fellowships to Five Santa Monica Artists, Lookout Staff, The Santa Monica Lookout, August 11, 2021, online
Nathan Birnbaum, Five Nationally-Known Local Artists Presented with Artist Fellowships in Program’s Twelfth Year– santamonica.gov
August 4, 2021, online
Nathan Birnbaum, Five Nationally-Known Local Artists Presented with Artist Fellowships in Program's Twelfth Year,
The City of Santa Monica Blog, August 4, 2021, online
Elisa Wouk Almino, Learn How to Make Your Own Artist’s Book, Hyperallergic, May 11, 2021, online
18th Street Arts Center, 18th Street Arts Center 2019-2020, catalogue, Santa Monica, CA, 2020, p. 104
Jennifer Gillia Cutshall, Chasing Ghosts V: Piercing the Veil through Remembrance, Legacy, & Beyond, exhibition book,
Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR, 2020, cover/page
Decatur Arts Alliance/Georgia Center for the Book/Dekalb Library Foundation/DeKalb County Public Library, Book as Art v.8.0: Infinity,
exhibition catalogue, 2020, PDF
Kristine Schomaker, Textile Artists Today, Art and Cake, September 1, 2020, online
Lola Desmole, The Pandemic and Its Inequities Addressed in “Facing Darkness”, Whitewall, August 13, 2020, online
Juri Koll, Regarding the Constructions of Debra Disman, essay, Venice Center for Contemporary Art, June 2020
Kristine Schomaker, Living through a Pandemic: Artists Experiment, Inspire and Persevere, Art and Cake, May 2020, online
The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, World Book Day, culture-la, April 23, 2020, online
Guild of Book Workers, The Artful Book, exhibition catalogue, The Long Beach Museum of Art, 2020, pp. 15-16, 49.
Drew Tewksbury, 5 Tasty Book Talks for the Week Ahead / “Make Your Own Book”, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment & Arts Section,
December 19, 2019, online
Catherine Alice Michaelis, All Stitched Up, exhibition catalogue, Collins Memorial Library/University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, 2019
Brand Associates, Brand 47 Works On Paper, exhibition catalogue, Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale, CA, 2019, p. 21
Decatur Arts Alliance/Georgia Center for the Book/Dekalb Library Foundation/DeKalb County Public Library, Book as Art v.7.0: Wonder,
exhibition catalogue, 2019, online
Brianna Bakke, exhibition text, Offal exhibition, The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, LA, CA, 2019
18th Street Arts Center, 18th Street Arts Center 2018-2019, catalogue, Santa Monica, CA, 2019, pp.74, 98
Decatur Arts Alliance/Georgia Center for the Book/Dekalb Library Foundation/DeKalb County Public Library, Book as Art v.6.0: Pulp,
exhibition catalogue, 2018, PDF
Guild of Book Workers, Formation, exhibition catalogue, Guild of Book Workers Journal volume 47, 2018, p. 32
Michael Ray, A Hum of Peace, article/photographs, Santa Monica Mirror, Life and Arts Section, April 2, 2018, online
Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen Announced as Next Studio Artists-in-Residence at the Camera Obscura Art Lab, Santa Monica Mirror, 2018
Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen Announced as Next Studio Artists-in-Residence at the Camera Obscura Art Lab, The City of Santa Monica, January 11, 2018
HGTV Curb Appeal, It's All In The Details, on air episode, Johlt Productions, Emeryville, CA, 2011
Carolyn Edlund, How a Decorative Painter Built a Business , two part interview, Artsy Shark, Punta Gorda, FL, 2010
Rebecca Parsons, Creative Entrepreneur Debra Disman, interview, Artistically Speaking Talk Show, REP Media, Jacksonville, FL, 2010
Springstowne sixth-grader wins art contest, article/ photograph, Times-Herald, Local News Section, Vallejo, CA, May 6, 2007, p. A3
Jane Horn/The Editors of Sunset Books, Ideas for Great Kids’ Rooms, book, Sunset Books, Menlo Park, CA, 2005, pp. 65, 127
Have a Heart Event 2003, text/photograph, SFDC News, San Francisco Design Center, Summer/Fall, 2003.02, 2003, p. 40
Complete Home Decorating, book, Sunset Publishing Corporation, Menlo Park, CA, 2001 pp. 248-9, 280, 427
Budding artists show their stuff, text/photographs, Peninsula Independent, January 23, 1996, p. 8.
Artfully Seated, article/photographs, Image Magazine, The Whole Bay Catalogue, The San Francisco Examiner, May 1990, p. 10
And it works, too. Furniture takes shape with a touch of fantasy, feature article, The Chicago Tribune, Home Section, February 5, 1989,
section 15, p. 5
Artist Visits HPHS, article/photograph, The Highland Park News/Voice, April 20, 1989, Front Page
Leah Burroughs, Introducing Children to the Arts, book, G.K. Hall & Co. Boston, 1988, pp. xiv, 252-257
Sheila B. Braufman, Jewish Themes: Northern California Artists, exhibition catalogue, Judah L. Magnes Memorial Museum, Berkeley, CA,
1987, pp. 8, 17
Hand-colored tapestries show artist’s Jewish spirit, article/photograph, The Northern California Jewish Bulletin, Entertainment/Arts Section,
September 6, 1985, p. 20
On the Square, KTVU-TV, television interview, Oakland, CA, 1985
SuperKids on the Move, KRON-TV, student television spot, San Francisco, CA, 1982
Why Johnny Won’t Read, The Owen Spann Show, radio panel interview, San Francisco, CA 1981
Neon and Mannequins, feature article, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, May 8, 1980, p. 9
PUBLICATIONS AS AUTHOR
Andell Family Sundays Anytime—Patterns, Polka Dots, and Scandinavian Design, LACMA UNFRAMED, Los Angeles, CA March 1, 2023
Concurrencies: Charlotte Salomon and Eva Hesse: Genius, Trauma and the Creative Imagination,
ReflectSpace Gallery/Glendale Library Arts and Culture, Glendale, CA 2023
Artissima, Blog of ArtiFactory Studio, owner and author, San Francisco/Santa Monica, CA, 2010-18
The Color Muze, Cre8tive Compass Magazine, writer-monthly segment, REP Media, Jacksonville, FL, 2010-2012
Bay Area Women’s Journal, monthly expert columnist - decorative painting, Cypress Publishing, SF, 2010-2011
Policies and Procedures for Artists Off-site, Kollage Community School for the Arts, Belmont, CA, 1997
Recycling the Arts, project guide, The Artifactory Studio, San Francisco, CA, 1993
The Museum Guide, Redding School, co-written with Dr. Patricia Crowley and G.A.T.E. students, SF, CA, 1989
Holiday Arts Curriculum, The Bureau of Jewish Education, San Francisco, CA, 1989
Creative Arts in Education, manual, co-written with Dr. Patricia Crowley, Redding School, SF, CA, 1987
Catalogue of Art Holdings, The Holocaust Center of Northern California, San Francisco, CA, 1986
Art Making Kids Happen, Instructor Magazine, article, co-written with Dr. Patricia Crowley, NYC, NY. 1986
The Art of Storymaking/Puppetry Guide, manual; The Art of Storymaking, videotape, The Friends of The San Francisco Public Library, 1984
A Classroom Guide to Puppets and Puppetry The De Young Museum Art School, San Francisco, CA, 1981
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
We Write the Book, Community Members and Verdugo Hills HS VAPA Freshman, The Sunland-Tujunga Public Library, LA, CA 2020
We Right the Book, Verdugo Hills High School VAPA 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
TEACHING ARTIST
Glendale Library Arts and Culture/Be the Change Book Festival, 2023
The Guild of Book Workers/CA Chapter; LA County Dept. of Public Health/18th Street Arts Center, (online) 2021
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LA, CA; The Silverlake Independent JCC, Los Angeles, CA 2016-Present
Community Corporation of Santa Monica, Craft Contemporary, 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
The Santa Monica Public Library; The LA Public Library; The County of Los Angeles Public Library, 2012-Present
Marlborough Summer School, (Marlborough School), Los Angeles, CA 2014-2022
Verdugo Hills High School Visual and Performing Arts Program, Los Angeles, CA 2016-2020
The Brentwood Art Center, Los Angeles, CA 2019
Expressive Therapies Summit Los Angeles, with Josie Abbenante - ATR-BC, LPAT, Los Angeles, CA, 2018
Grand Park Downtown Bookfest, The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Jewish Women’s Theatre, Santa Monica, CA 2016
La Vida West Pregnant Minors Program, Los Angeles County Division of Alternative Education, Lawndale, CA 2013-2014
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, S.F. CA 1983-1988
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
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 1987
The Holocaust Center of Northern CA 1987
The San Francoisco Education Fund 1987
Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro, CA 1987
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
OWNER / PRINCIPAL OF ARTIFACTORY STUDIO 1997-2012
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, IL, Material Possessions, Chicago / Winnetka, IL, Pas De Chat Gallery, Chicago, IL;
Milagro De Taos Gallery, Taos, NM, Tukeys 2 Showroom, Santa Fe, NM
EDUCATION
Cal State Los Angeles/City of LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Community Teaching Artist Certificate Program, Certificate, 2020
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 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
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)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Surface Design Association, Award Member, 2022-Present
Textile Arts LA, Member, 2020-Present
18th Street Arts Center, Artist in Residence, 2018-Present; Neighborhood Advisory Council, 2020-Present
The Guild of Book Workers, California Chapter, Member, 2015-Present; Secretary, 2020-Present