TEXTILE/FIBER
“We Write the Book” 2025 at the Northridge Library Kick-off Workshop!
I am thrilled to serve again as a 2025-26 “NEAR” Artist in Residence at the Northridge Branch Library!
This Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) is supported by the wonderful City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
On September 13th, 2025, over 30 participants of a diverse ages and backgrounds gathered to learn how to create the accordion fold book, create one and two cut pop-ups, and joyfully develop their books into fanciful, whimsical and fantastical works of art.
Fitting words of appreciation for the Library, and truly encapsulates why we all do what we do!
BRAND 53 Celebrates PAPER in its many forms
I am thrilled to have my artists’ book, “THIN ICE” made in collaboration with artist Luciana Abait, shown in Brand 53: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper
Opening Date: July 19, 2025
Closing Date: September 12, 2025
The Associates of Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale, California hosts its 53rd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper this summer. All works in the show are on view in the beautiful Brand Library’s Gallery and in both printed and online exhibition catalogs.
This year’s juror, Sigrid Burton, considers color and drawing as the foundation of her artistic practice and is noted for her works in oil on canvas or linen and mixed media on paper. She explores the natural world both literally and figuratively, with the intention of making light and depth tangible and visible on a two-dimensional picture plane. Burton captures the phenomenological occurrence of reflection and refraction of light, in particular, water, sky and deep space. Her studies of the art of the Indian subcontinent and its ancient and sophisticated aesthetic theory have influenced her thinking that the importance of a work of art is the response that the work evokes from the viewer. Within this context, color is understood to have great expressive and communicative power.
The Brand Associates is offering a printed exhibition catalog for purchase at Brand Library & Art Center.
A digital version of the catalog is also available to download for free.
View the Online CATALOG HERE!
Please see a video of show HERE with a talk by Juror Sigrid Burton
“We Write the Book” Artist Residency Returns to the Northridge Public Library!
I am thrilled to serve again as a 2025-26 “NEAR” Artist in Residence at the Northridge Branch Library!
This Neighborhood Engagement 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.
Please see our 2024-25Artist Residency at the beautiful Northridge Branch Library CULMINATION EVENT!
Please see the flier below for dates and times of programs beginning September 13, 2025!
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
NOMADIC Encounters: “The Center Will Not Hold” 2025
I participated in the 2025 Torrance Art Museum’s (TAM) innovative contemporary art pop-up NOMAD IV which was held at Del Amo Crossing, 21535 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503, JULY 11-13, 2025
So Much FUN!
NOMAD IV is a non-commercial exhibition that showcased the diverse and dynamic talents of 175+ Southern California artists featuring sculpture, painting installation and more.
The event itself is a giant artistic get together, aimed at letting artists show what they have been making recently to each other as well as to the wider public. It presented an opportunity to meet peers, make connections, and arrange for future opportunities. It is a non-commercial exhibition that showcases the diverse and dynamic talents of LA artists.
NOMAD IV was presented alongside the third edition of TRYST, TAM’s international alternative art fair for artist-run spaces and galleries.
I presented a further iteration of my 2023 performance piece,
“The Center Will Not Hold“, this time reimagining the central tarp-based component as a sort of tent, with legs and feet sticking out, a la the classic Judy Garland Wizard of Oz film, which evocation was remarked upon.
Prep at studio. Embroidered Indian shoes long ago gift from sister travels. Who knew?
All tied up
Packed into zebra beach bag, useful gift from other sister. Who knew?
Expandable/contractable. Basic piece created from a tree landscaping tarp. Flexible material.
Set up near window on second floor of Del Amo Crossing in Torrance. Light streaks across the floor…
Shifting the legs and feet around.
The braids increase the footprint of the work.
Play in texture
Young collaborators rearranged the legs and feet, and then added their own!
The inimicable and always impeccable Louis Jacinto and Kene Rosa, gracing our scene.
Lots of wonderful visitors. Wonder what “Tapestry LA” is?
Virginia Arce, from the Irvine Fine Arts Center, and her partner visited!
What an experience! Thanks to Max Presneill and the whole team at the Torrence Art Museum and City of Torrance for making the effort to create this magically expansive opportunity for SoCal artists!