Exhibitions

From the Outside In: Artist Residency Culmination at the Sunland-Tujunga Library

March 7, 2020 By Debra Disman

I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) students.

I taught the fun and fascinating flag book structure, and the stellar English VAPA teacher Mrs. Leserman worked with the students in class between the workshops to develop their books.

To connect the project with her VAPA English Curriculum which included the study of J.D. Salinger‘s Catcher in the Rye, she had the students develop the outsides of their books to reflect the ways they felt they were being seen, and how they wanted to be seen by the outside world, and then directed them to develop the inside flag pages to express how they actually felt on the inside.

On February 15th, we held a Residency Culmination event at the Library, featuring the VAPA students OUTSIDE-INSIDE flag books. Viewers were intrigued and moved to see these revelatory books, which shared so much about their makers. Expressive, brave, unique,m beautiful, these works offer a glimpse into what it is to be a freshman in High School today.

Bravo.

Indeed.

Sunland-Tujunga: Artist Residency Culmination Event!

March 1, 2020 By Debra Disman

I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) English students.

On February 15th, we held a Residency Culmination event at the Library, complete with bookmaking activities, refreshments, and an exhibition of hand-made books created by adults participating in the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group, and VAPA students.

We had a blast!

Three bookmaking projects were running in the Community Room.

Mother and Daughter work side by side.

A member of the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group stands by her handmade book.

Patiently creating detail with tiny butterfly shapes.

Another Mom and Daughter team…artists working together.

Young adult artist proudly shares her creations.

Young artist from the VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) magnet at neighboring Verdugo Hills High School and her flag book created in a two workshop series held in her freshman VAPA English class. The books contrasted how students wanted to present themselves and how they felt they were perceived on the outside (exterior book covers) with how they feel on the inside- the flag pages).

It has been very moving to see makers create and share works which reveal them on various levels.

Gratitudes!

Exhibitionista: 2020 LA Open

January 11, 2020 By Debra Disman

I am honored to be part of the 2020 LA OPEN Exhibition at Tag Gallery in Los Angeles, juried by Juri Koll.

2020 LA OPEN

December 17 – December 21, 2019
January 2 – January 17, 2020

TAG Gallery is proud to announce the 3rd annual LA Open Exhibition for 2020! This juried exhibition aims to serve as a gateway for a diverse range of artists in the greater Los Angeles area to display their artworks on Museum Row, home to four major Los Angeles museums.

TAG’s calendar year commences with this vibrant exhibition of works by local artists. The focus of this exhibition is to illustrate that artists are strong and impactful when they come together to facilitate dialogue amongst varied styles of works. To this end, the viewer and artist alike are encouraged to make unapparent connections between works in an effort to facilitate an intimate and unique experience for each viewer.

I am showing “Torrent and Tangle: Keep Your House in Order”, 2019, 10.5 x 25 x 18”, mixed media

Check out this fun and varied show soon if you can. It closes January 17, so hurry over to TAG!

Exhibitionista: The Artful Book…revisited

January 8, 2020 By Debra Disman

The Artful Book show at the Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, CA just closed.

What a great experience to be part of it.

Tour the exhibition!

It happened October 4, 2019 – January 5, 2020

I was honored to show three pieces, and be in the company of stellar book artists.

“Today, artists who work in the Book Arts create fine and design bindings, fine press and letterpress editions, calligraphy, broadsides, handmade paper, and artist books. Visitors to The Artful Book will see outstanding contemporary examples of the Book Arts created by members of the California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers. From finely crafted and superbly designed limited edition books to one-of-a-kind sculptural art objects, these artists let their imaginations soar and put their skills in the service of one of man’s best creations, the book….” —The Artful Book

The Artful Book will be remembered.

Exhibitionista: Fresh Art

December 6, 2019 By Debra Disman

Fresh Art

November 7 – November 30 , 2019

I was excited to participate in the exhibition “FRESH ART” juried by Donna Seager of
Seager/Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, CA. Donna is known to show Artists’ Books, and is a supporter of the form.
A native of New Orleans, Donna Seager’s education was at the University of Texas where she received her degree in Art History and English. She began in the art business in 1978, working in galleries in New Orleans and was the director of the Marlborough Gallery in Boston before moving to California in 1989. In 2001, she partnered with Suzanne Gray to form Seager/Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, now a cornerstone of the Marin arts community. Donna Seager has distinguished herself for her discerning eye and commitment to the arts. She has served on the board of the San Francisco Art Dealers’ Association and the San Francisco Center for the Book and is currently a member of the Marin County Cultural Commission. Seagergray.com.

Tour the Show!

“How do you define “Fresh Art”? Something new and different, new to one’s experience, not encountered before, or a new approach to your art. Artwork that is forward or bold, expressive, engaging, stimulating, creative, infused with imagination….”