Teaching Artist
Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman
JOIN US!
Debra Disman and Shoebox Arts Present:
FREE Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman!
Calling all artists! Join us for an exciting FREE online bookmaking workshop where you’ll learn to create beautiful, versatile books using the innovative “Folded Fan” structure
Workshop Details:
What: Making Books Together: The “Folded Fan” Bookmaking Structure
When: August 27th at 11am PST
Instructor Debra Disman
Host: Shoebox Arts
Format: Live online workshop via Zoom
Cost: Completely FREE for all artists
Registration: Sign up using our Google form (link below)
Zoom Access: Participants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop
What You’ll Learn
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover the joy of creating the “Folded Fan” bookmaking structure—Debra’s own innovative take on the traditional Flag Book form. This versatile and sculptural book requires no hole punching or sewing, making it perfect for artists of all skill levels.
You’ll learn how to:
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Create the foundational folded and glued structure
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Display your book in multiple creative ways
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Transform the sculptural form into a familiar codex format
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Explore various presentation methods and artistic possibilities
Debra will also share examples from her own extensive body of work, showing how she has used this structure to create numerous compelling book pieces.
What You Need
The beauty of this workshop is its accessibility—you can literally create this structure using just 4 pieces of standard 8.5 x 11″ copier paper! However, for the best results, Debra recommends having these materials on hand:
Essential Tools
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Scissors (or just use folding and tearing techniques!)
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Glue stick
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Pencil
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Bone folder (optional—you can use your glue stick as a folding tool)
Recommended Materials
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Accordion Spine: One 11 x 17″ tag board or cardstock sheet
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Covers: Two 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces of railroad board or similar cardboard
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Pages: Three 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces (or slightly smaller at 5.25″ for easier handling)
Choose your own colors and get creative with your material choices!
Optional Enhancement Materials
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Scrap paper and easy-to-glue fabric
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Washi tape, decorative tapes, stickers, ribbon
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Ephemera: old letters, cards, ticket stubs, journal pages, and other meaningful materials
Why This Workshop?
The “Folded Fan” structure is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal entry point for new bookmakers while offering endless creative possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in creating artist books, journals, display pieces, or sculptural works, this foundational technique will open up new avenues for your artistic expression.
Ready to Join?
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Debra Disman and connect with fellow artists in our supportive online community. Spaces are limited, so register today!
Remember: You’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the workshop, so keep an eye on your inbox!
We can’t wait to see what beautiful books you’ll create. Happy making
Questions about the workshop? Feel free to reach out to Shoebox Arts for more information. shoeboxartsla@gmail.com
“We Write The Book” returns to the Northridge Branch Library!
I am thrilled to serve again as a 2025-26 “NEAR” Artist in Residence at the Northridge Branch Library!
This Neighborhood Engagment Artist Residency is supported by the wonderful City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
I was honored to serve as artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May 31, 2025 and am looking forward to working further with the Northridge and greater community!
Our workshops are completely free to community with all materials and refreshments included, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
2025-26 Times, dates and details to come!
Please see our 2024-25 Artist Residency at the beautiful Northridge Branch Library CULMINATION EVENT!
Please join us for our exciting bookmaking workshops throughout September through December, 2025!
RAW FOOTAGE: With The Artist: Debra Disman Part I
Please see VIDEO of the “KnoW Safe Place”
“With The Artist: Debra Disman Part I“
In conversation with Erika Sukstorf
developer of “raw footage” (more to come)
Please click link to view
Flag Books for Flag Day at the Manhattan Beach Library!
It was a great pleasure to lead a Flag Bookmaking program on Flag Day at the Manhattan Beach Library!
Due to a fabulous donation of designer wallpaper samples,
I was able to offer a mix of exotic materials to the participants to work with!
And they employed them…
in all kinds of different ways, making use of their colors, textures, patterns and imagery
to enhance and enrich their books!
Different makers used the same pattern…
in different ways!
A wide variety of pre-cut “flag pages” were available and used creatively.
Maker Stacy Wong shared her completed Flag Book, which she further developed after the program!
A truly colorfully creative time was had by ALL!
“We Write The Book” CULMINATION EVENT at the Northridge Library!
It was both moving and thrilling to complete my 2024-25 Artist Residency at the beautiful Northridge Branch Library .
This Neighborhood Engagment Artist Residency has been supported by the wonderful City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
I have been honored to serve as artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May 31, 2025, on selected Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30PM
Our workshops have been completely free to community with all materials and refreshments included, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Attended by participants of all ages including families, I was thrilled to see the explosively colorful and exciting projects our participants created, and their joy in working in community. many of our participants have attended multiple workshops, and some of them have attended all of the bookmaking programs!
During our CULMINATION, participants shared and read from their handmade books, enjoyed refreshments, created a mini-travel journal and learned how do the “Turkish Map Fold” which they could then add to their books!
Turkish Map Fold incorporated into mini-travel journal!
Families enjoy bookmaking together, a blend of generations!
Participants help other participants.
Renata shares one of her amazing books!
A young boy’s dream, and I think we can see what it is!
Such a pleasure to see Ardem Tajerian again, with who I worked on my first Neighborhood Engagment Artist Residency supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs back in 2017!
