
Northridge Branch Library “Writes the Book”!

Artist
By Debra Disman


By Debra Disman


By Debra Disman

Says Owner and Curator Jennifer Gillia Cutshall:
“…when the murmur from art echoes beyond the walls & settles somewhere secret. And “Whisper” with an exclamation may signal contradictions or dualities. The term carries symbolism pertinent to the momentous occasion, but it also carries mystery to be filled in by artists’ interpretations. Verum is open to all perceptions of this theme. Delicate expressions are presented, as are bold, and the term WHISPER may be framed in many ways, not necessarily meant to be a literal elucidation. All mediums and modes of expression were welcomed.. Verum Ultimum Gallery tasks artists to define this inaugural exhibition to herald in Verum’s new space in Southeast Portland this summer of 2024!”
She shares further “There are whispers everywhere, they arrive in our dreams, at a bus stop, museums, and beyond. Original works of art carry whispers. The whispers from the artists mingle with the viewers subconscious, and a connection is made!…The idea of the “whisper” may be inextricably attached to the importance of the unknown or the hidden. A degree of reverence may be ingrained in our collective psyche around all things art. For me, perhaps it began when I first entered museum spaces as a young girl (in NYC), I remember adults turning to children with their pointer fingers glued to pursed lips. They were signaling that hushed tones (and respect) were the order. And anticipation is in order, like the closed curtains and the dimming of lights in the theater, the collective whisper commands our attention toward these 38 provocative works. They whisper far beyond the bounds of literal elucidations.”
There are 38 artists and 38 unique, original works of art in this inaugural exhibition in the new space!
I am thrilled to show “Excavation of the Interior“ (shown closed and open below)
12 x 28 x 12.5″, wood, paper, cloth, hemp cord, linen thread

By Debra Disman
It was wonderful to conduct a family bookmaking program at the Julian Dixon Culver City Branch Library, part of the Los Angeles County Library System!
Parents and children worked together to learn how to make and then create their own accordion fold books with simple one and two cut popups, inspiring each other, as well as myself and the Library Staff as they moved through the process.

Our youngest participant, age 4, with proud Dad.

Moms and daughters

Dad and daughter!

Mom and more daughters!

An exuberant family of Dad and three sibs.

Fearless leader Librarian Melanie!
By Debra Disman
We culminated my yearlong Artist Residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library, “We Write The Book!“, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, with a celebration for the whole community! Attendees created their own travel journals, enjoyed refreshments and a slide show of the year’s bookmaking projects, and “take and make” bookmaking packets (complete with materials and instructions) were available for the taking.
Library staff, the security guard, families, seniors and a group of very special adults all got into the act!
A lovely group of teens helped set-up for the event, then participated by making their own travel journals. They share their thoughts about the event HERE.

Adult and teen librarians Patty and Marcia have a moment to play with materials and be creative!

Branch security guard made a travel journal!

Auntie and niece have a making experience together.

This young makers loves the color GREEN!

Assorted materials were available, to offer something to everyone.

Participants had the opportunity to socialize while creating, another human need that sometimes gets put on hold in busy lives.


Happy maker Dawn loves to create books and made a beauty with doors that opened!.

Morning making experience together for mother and daughter.

Making creative re-use of available maps and atlas pages!


Making beautiful use of materials, Patty is ready to document her travels!

Enjoying the process.

And the pink book develops, with maps!

TEEN POWER!
Creativity knows no bounds…

By Debra Disman
