Debra Disman

Artist

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Teaching Artist

Celebrate Art and Poetry at these April Events!

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I am culminating my 2020-21 artist residency programs with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs with two bookmaking workshops and events at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, and the Panorama City Branch Library respectively.

Please join us for either or both of these FREE online community events! Materials and goody bag provided for those who sign up, and go to the Branch sites to pick them up.

Help us celebrate National Poetry Month and the culmination of two wonderful residency programs that were conducted entirely online!  You will have the opportunity to create your own “Flag Book” and adding your own or other favorite poetry to it! Learn how to do “found writing” and express yourself through art and poetry without leaving the comfort of your own home. Details on the fliers below!!

 

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 7

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As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other. Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!

In March 2021, I led an scroll making program in honor of Women’s History Month focused on Celebrating Women Artists, at the Panorama City Branch Library,  part of my artist residency in bookmaking there, through the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.


We looked at images and information about three great women artists, Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, and Branch Manager Roman shared some of Faith Ringgold‘s books from the Library!


Participants were invited to cut out the provided  images of the artists, their work, and the information about them, and add them to sheets of brightly colored tag board paper, which they had attached to wooden sticks, or dowels at either end, to create unique scrolls.

Each maker created a different composition with the materials provided in our fun and informative supplies packets.


One young maker added painting to the surface, then his father added images honoring women artists to complete the scroll!


Scrolls could be horizontal or vertical, and rolled up at either end and then unfurled.


Ribbon was provided for participants to keep their rolled scrolls in place if they wished to.
Here Panorama City Branch Library Branch Manager Roman gets into the act!

An honoring of Women’s History Month, Women Artists, specific women artists, the Library, and especially, of human creativity, imagination and ingenuity!
SO needed, especially during this past year and into the current one.

Gratitudes!

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 6

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As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other. Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!

In February 2021, I led an accordion book with pockets program at the Panorama City Branch Library,  part of my artist residency in bookmaking there, through the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Using bright tag board and richly patterned origami papers,


participants learned the accordion/consertina fold,


how to create pockets in their books,


how to cover and embellish their covers,


and how to add hopes and wishes to their pockets!


Whole families, as well as Library staff, got into the act.


Pure Joy.

Gratitudes!

 

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 5

By

As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other. Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!


As part of my artist residency in bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library through the  Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, participants learned the “double flower fold” technique, and created unique valentines with richly colored and patterned origami papers, which they then placed in paper boxes they unfolded, then folded, to house their creations.


After learning the fold, interestingly challenging over Zoom, the makers learned how to glue them together into an expanding and contracting chain,


which folded up into a 2.5 x 2.5″ square,


and was easily placed in their boxes, to create a one-of-a-kind gift. Participants could then embellish their boxes,


and add words and imagery to their folded “flowers”.


A diverse intergenerational group of enthusiasts worked together happily and supportively.


Branch Manager got into the act, carefully planning the colors of his flower-fold chain.


Children’s Librarian Kristin Peers also created stunning color combinations, and, what a background!

It looks like there may have been some very happy Valentine gift recipients, but maybe not as happy as their makers.
Because making, is the BEST!

Watch AROHA Philanthropies: CREATIVE AGING in Action!

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I have been so honored to participate in AROHA Philanthropies Creative Aging initiative, and to work  with  with LA’s beloved Craft Contemporary museum, Curator of Public Engagment Andres Payan Estrada, and Museum Director, Suzanne Isken.

It has been my great joy to teach the AROHA Bookmaking classes for Seniors through Craft Contemporary. I have been so moved to hear and see our participants’ stories expressed through their book projects, and to witness their extraordinary creativity with materials, expression and craft. The opportunity for these students to come together, share about their lives, and weave their personal histories into their projects has been so meaningful, not only for the students, but for myself and the Craft Contemporary Staff. I have been continually amazed at the richness and depth of our participants’ life experiences and their hunger to share them with others.

Our spring workshop series in bookmaking was held in-person, at the Craft Contemporary. When the pandemic hit, we had to pivot to online learning and delivery, and despite the inevidable challenges, our online class community proved to be just as creative, supportive, connective and energetic as our in-person group. An incredible and indelible experience that I will carry with me moving forward.

Russ Haan, owner of After Hours Creative, directed the creation of the following videos sharing about and documenting the process of AROHA’s programming. They are inspiring, moving and energizing to watch. ENJOY!
Creative Aging: The Essentials
Creative Aging: Why Teaching Artists?
Creative Aging: Untapped Opportunity
Creative Aging: Isolation to Connection
Creative Aging: In-Person to Online 

Zoom In On Distance Learning 4

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As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other.
Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!


Here are some highlights fronm our 2021 Calendar-making program at the Panorama City Branch Library,  part of my artist residency in bookmaking there, through the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.


Creating the calendar structure, using a side-stab/side-bound stitch, at the top, to produce a vertical format.


Honoring KOBE.


Sketchbook ideas for calendar.


Forging on with the project, even without a materials packet!

Here’s to a better 2021.  Thumbs up as we Zoom on.