Student Work
In honor of Women’s History Month (March) the West Valley Regional Branch Library celebrated women artists with a bookmaking workshop led by artist in residence Debra Disman!
Patrons joined us to create their own handmade books which unfolded to hold informative and inspiring images and information about renowned artists Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama. All materials were provided. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Boys MAKE THEIR OWN BOOKS!
I was thrilled to teach “Make Your Own Books” through the City of Santa Monica’s CREST Enrichment program during January and February 2023!
I had a fantastic class of all boys who worked together beautifully, learned enthusiastically, and displayed great creativity and passion for their book projects!
Here is what one Mom said of her son’s experience with bookmaking:
“Owen is so sad he will be missing the last class this week as we are out of town. I wanted to share how much this class has changed Owen. He is obsessed with making books now and holds his own comic book club…daily…with his Dad and I. He carries them everywhere. He shows everyone.”
This was thrilling for me to hear…it is what a teaching artist lives for!
Below are they boys in action during our after-school program:
Be The Change Book Festival: Bookmaking Workshops II
I was thrilled to lead three bookmaking workshops at the Glendale Central Library as part of Glendale Library Arts and Culture
on Saturday, February 25: 10:00am – 11:00am, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
I worked with families, individuals and groups who learned how to create fun and fabulous handmade books using folding, cutting and gluing techniques.
Presented as part of:
Enjoy my solo show and other exhibitions in the Library!
I Can’t I Won’t I Will I Do Exhibition by Debra Disman – ReflectSpace Gallery
Through March 26th!
Glendale Central Library
A solo exhibition featuring Los Angeles-based artist Debra Disman.
Be The Change Book Festival: Bookmaking Workshops I
I was thrilled to offer three FREE bookmaking workshops for Be the Change Book Festival – Be the Change Series on Saturday February 25th,2023!!!
Make Your Own Books with Debra Disman – Bookmaker and ReflectSpace Gallery exhibiting artist
Participants learned how to create fun and fabulous handmade books using folding, cutting and gluing techniques.
as part of:
Saturday, February 25: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Glendale Central Library

Please enjoy more of this event!
A devoted Dad!
Tween Time 1
Tween Time 2
Dynamic Duo Mom and Daughter
Be The Change Compilation
Flag Bookmaking at the Silverlake Independent JCC
It was a pleasure to teach a hands-on FLAG BOOKmaking workshop for fifth-graders at the Silverlake Independent JCC, my fifth year doing so! (Or is it my 6th?!)
The fifth-graders were receptive, energetic and creative!
Up the Down Road of Surrealism with Dali!
In our “Making Art Inspired by Great Artists” CREST Enrichment class,
students are inspired by the Surealist Artist Salvador Dalí!
Students in grades TK- 5th learned about Surrealism, and how to use perspective, scale,
horizon lines and vanishing points to show space and distance, then developed their compositions into surrealistic scenes adding images from magazines to create focal points and a sense of layering.
Creativity abounds with these kindergarteners through fifth-graders!
Each travelled their own road through the project, as they will continue to do in Life.