Debra Disman

Making TUNNEL BOOKS at the Granada Hills Branch Library!
2018-11-13 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
We will create an amazing multidimensional TUNNEL BOOK using a three-dimensional tableau scene to honor Native American Heritage Month! Utilizing strategic cutouts, accordion folding and framing techniques, explore a “layered view” that creates the setting for a dramatic scene and story that moves back and forth in space and possibly in time!
Free and open to the public.
Open to all ages.
All materials included.

"We the Artists" at 18th Street Arts Center
2018-11-10 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 18th Street Arts Center Airport Gallery, 3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90405, United States
WE THE ARTISTS 18th Street’s 30th Anniversary Celebration!
November 10, 2018 | 7-10 PM
Artist In Residence Open Studios 7-8PM!

18th Street Arts Center kicks off a yearlong party celebrating 30 years as Southern California’s leading artist residency program. This evening spectacular spotlights new collaborations with 18th Street’s founding ‘compadres’ La Pocha Nostra and Highways Performance Space, new commissions by alumni including Kenyatta AC Hinkle, Kate Johnson, Asher Hartman, Marcus Kuiland-Nazario, Amitis Motevalli, and performances curated by Highways Performance Space featuring Egrets on Ergot, Sebeyu, and Bethany Ward-Lawe!

Enjoy live performances, video installations, exhibitions, music, open artist’s studios, LA’s gourmet food trucks, and craft beer! RSVP here for a free ticket.

NATIONAL SHOW: "Blackout"
2018-10-27 11:00 - 2018-11-17 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Ashton Gallery, 4434 30th Street, San Diego, CA, 92116, United States
I am honored to have my piece, “Maximum Security” included in Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th contemporary Art Center and Gallery’s NATIONAL SHOW:
BLACKOUT

“Features the best pieces from all over the country that include the color black: seductive, powerful, elegant, formal, prestigious, and mysterious.”
Juror: Daniel Foster, 30-year career in arts & museum leadership in Southern California
Reception: Saturday, October 27th, 6pm–8pm
​Exhibit Dates: October 27th–November 17th

About the Juror: Daniel Foster has an extensive 30-year career in arts and museum leadership in San Diego and Southern California. He is the past Executive Director of the Oceanside Museum of Art (2012-15) and the Riverside Art Museum (2003-08), in addition to past positions with the San Diego Art Institute, UC San Diego Visual Arts Dept., San Francisco Art Institute, and the Headlands Center for the Arts. Additionally, Foster founded and launched the North County Arts Network in 2014 and the Arts Council for San Bernardino County in 2012 (when he was the President/CEO of The Community Foundation). Foster is a conceptual and multi-disciplinary visual artist and poet.

Let's Make Books at the Bell Library!
2018-10-20 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bell Library, 4411 E GAGE AVE, Bell, CA, 90201, United States
Learn to create the fun and fabulous “folded fan” book in community at the Library with artist Debra Disman.
Create a book that can open, read and displayed in different ways!
This program is designed for children aged 5 – 12.
All materials included!

Bookmaking at Verdugo Hills High School
2018-10-17 09:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Verdugo Hills High School, 10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, CA, 91042, United States
I will lead bookmaking workshops with magnet (VAPA) English and Art students at Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, CA, supported by the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Students will create one-of-kind FLAG BOOKS, and develop them through “found writing” they produce through pulling letters, words and sentences from existing print media sources such as magazines and other books.
I will work with Seniors in the VAPA English class, and Freshmen in the VAPA art class.
These workshops are for specific VAPA students at Verdugo Hills High School, and will take place in VAPA classes during school hours.

Papel Picado Bookmaking Workshop
2018-09-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
Part of my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch – Los Angeles Public Library.
Thanks to Children’s Librarian Alice Schock, Senior Librarian Pamela Rhodes, and the LA DCA
To celebrate Latino Heritage Month, join us for a Papel Picado Bookmaking Workshop, led by artist Debra Disman. This program is open to all ages. All materials included.
Please see flier!

Teen Flag Bookmaking at the Artesia Library!
2018-09-25 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Artesia County Library, 18801 Elaine Ave, Artesia, CA, 90701, United States
Join with other teens and learn to create the fun and versatile FLAG BOOK, which moves and grooves when you do! Add your own “found writing” (learn how) and have your say!
Led by artist Debra Disman.
All materials included.
Drop-ins welcome!

Accordion Fold Book Workshop For Seniors
2018-09-15 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
Part of my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch – Los Angeles Public Library.
Thanks to librarian Jeffrey Jensen, Senior Librarian Pamela Rhodes, and the LA DCA.
Make an accordion fold book from images of the Latino community’s contribution to the art and architecture of Los Angeles with artist Debra Disman. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and celebrates Latino Heritage Month.
Geared to Seniors, all are welcome!
Please see flier!

The Book as Art v6.0: Pulp
2018-08-10 09:00 - 2018-09-28 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
I am honored to have two pieces in this upcoming exhibition:
The Book as Art v6.0: Pulp
the Book As Art 2018
August 10–September 28 | open during library hours
The Periodicals Gallery of the Decatur Library
215 Sycamore St., Decatur, Ga.
Artist books take many forms – from handmade and lusciously tactile to linear and informative, abstract and questioning to sculptural and monumental. This juried show celebrates the book with a wildly varied collection of inventive and spectacular work that challenges expectations.
This is an exhibition that has been described by critics as, “wildly eclectic” and finding “. . . new and often startling ways to reimagine not just the physical format of a book but also the ideological essence of the content.” (ArtsATL, “Year in Review,” Dec. 31, 2014); approaching “sheer aesthetic magic” (Jerry Cullum, ArtsATL, “Books Become Magical Objects, Aug. 28, 2013); and with examples that “. . .push boundaries and challenge expectations in ways that are both startling and exhilarating.” (Jeff Stafford, Burnaway, “Art as Books, Books as Art,” Aug. 25, 2014)

2018 California Open Exhibition
2018-08-08 11:00 - 2018-08-24 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Tag Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90036, United States
I am honored to be included in the 2018 California Open Exhibition, juried by beloved and renowned Los Angeles-based artist, Kim Abeles and held at TAG GALLERY in Los Angeles from August 8 – 24, 2018.
I will be showing my piece: “Throes of the Body”.
Here are the installation images and Press Release! CalOpen2018
Please join us for the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday August 11, 5 – 8 PM at TAG GALLERY.
Exhibit: August 8 – 24, 2018
Reception and Awards Ceremony:
Saturday, August 11, 2018 5 – 8 p.m.

"Make Your Own Books" at the Compton Library!
2018-08-07 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Compton Library, 240 W. Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90220, Compton, CA, 90220, United States
“Make Your Own Books” at the Compton Library!
Join us for a community bookmaking program for middle schoolers and their families at The Compton Library!
Together, we will create the fun and versatile flag book structure, a kinetic book which reveals a design when opened.
All materials included.

Flag Bookmaking at the Granada Hills Public Library
2018-08-06 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
Flag Bookmaking at the Granada Hills Public Library
We will be creating the fun, versatile and kinetic flag book structure at the Public Library!
Comprised of an accordion spine, covers and “flag” pages, this easy to make, yet fantastical book can hold writing, visual art, travel treasures and ephemera and more.,
The Los Angeles Summer Reading Challenge 2018 theme is:
“Reading Takes You Everywhere”, so join us to read, make, discover and explore at the Granada Hills Branch Library.
All ages welcome, all materials provided.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)

Family Bookmaking Workshops at LACMA
2018-07-21 10:00 - 2018-08-18 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Family Bookmaking Workshops at LACMA
A series of one day Family Bookmaking Workshops at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art!
Join us 10AM – 1PM Saturdays, July 21, 28, August 4, 11 and 18.
Learn how to create fun book structures including The Flag Book, The Folded Fan Book, The Accordion Fold/Concertina Book, and The Tunnel Book.
Each project will include an exploration of a special artwork at the Museum which relates to our bookmaking project for that workshop.
All materials included.

"Make Your Own Travel Journal at the Granada Hills Public Library!"
2018-07-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
“Make Your Own Travel Journal at the Granada Hills Public Library!”
Learn to create an accordion fold book with pockets to hold your travel treasures!
Tickets, notes, keepsakes, photographs and memories, this book will be something you will want to keep forever to remember your travel adventures and experiences.
The Los Angeles Summer Reading Challenge 2018 theme is:
“Reading Takes You Everywhere”, so join us to read, make, discover and explore at the Granada Hills Branch Library.
All ages welcome, all materials provided.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)

BOOKMAKING AT THE LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY!
2018-07-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
BOOKMAKING AT THE LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY!

Join us at The Central Library of the Los Angeles Public Library System on Saturday July 7th at 2PM to create a fun book you can use as a travel journal, and more.
The Los Angeles Public Library Summer Reading Challenge 2018 is READING TAKES YOU ANYWHERE! Make a book that will encourage you to Write, Read, Discover and Explore!
All materials included.

Arts Instructor at the Marlborough Summer School
2018-06-25 08:00 - 2018-07-27 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Marlborough School, 250 Rossmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90004, United States
Arts Instructor at the Marlborough Summer School
I will be teaching a range of classes for the Marlborough Summer School this summer, including “Creating Unique Handmade Books”, “Art and Writing”, “Building A World”, “Red Yellow Blue” (all about color!), “Fairy Tales” (fanciful bookmaking for young children), and “Make Your Own Books”.
This is an intensive, daily, five week program, which draws students from all over Los Angeles County. Follow the link to find out more!

Bookmaking series with Debra Disman at The Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean
2018-06-23 14:00 - 2018-08-11 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Bookmaking series with Debra Disman at the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean

One Saturday a month June, July and August 2018!
2 – 4PM
Debra brings back her popular bookmaking classes in a special three-part series. In June, work on Flag Books – a kinetic book whose parts move in separate flags as you page through. July brings Tunnel Books, which draw the reader into a three-dimensional story, and August finishes with Fireworks Books: a bibliotechnical bang which contains a popup structure of repeated forms that unfold from all sides. Bring your work back to the Camera for second Saturday craft lounges and continue your experiments in bookmaking.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A $10 MATERIAL FEE TO BE PAID IN CASH AT THE FIRST CLASS, DROP-INS PAY $5 EACH CLASS.

Amuse Yeux: Small Works Show at Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
2018-06-21 18:00 - 2018-08-05 17:00 (America/Denver) | Foothills Art Center, 809 Fifteenth Street, Golden, CO, 80401, United States
Amuse Yeux: Small Works Show at Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
I am honored to have my piece “Narrow Bridge” included in “Amuse Yeux“, a show of small works held at Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO, June 22 – August 5, 2018.
The show is designed to allow new and potentially young art lovers, collectors and buyers the opportunity to view, be exposed to, consider, peruse, contemplate and ultimately purchase works of art.
The Foothills Art Center Member Preview and Artist Reception is June 21, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00PM.

"FORMATION": The Guild of Book Workers 2018-2019 Traveling Juried Exhibition
2018-06-15 - 2019-10-31 | CA
“FORMATION”: The Guild of Book Workers 2018-2019 Traveling Juried Exhibition
I am extremely honored to have two pieces in FORMATION, The Guild of Book Workers 2018-2019 traveling juried exhibition, with a theme evoking a wide array of interpretations.
Simply defined by Merriam Webster as “an act of giving form or shape to something,” ‘formation‘ can insinuate process, history, creation, change, beginnings, an arrangement, botany and landscape, personal narratives and impersonal storytelling. As artists, designers and craftspeople with our own histories that form us, we also play a vital role in the formation of objects and experiences; pulp molded into paper, paper folded into books, books shelved into a library.
What is the final product, if not for the methods used to create it? What makes us into the artists we are? What pushes us to continue to create?
Exhibition Schedule:
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minneapolis, MN
June 15–October 21, 2018
Robert C. Williams Papermaking Museum
Atlanta, GA
November 1, 2018–March 7, 2019
University of California, Los Angeles
Charles E. Young Research Library Lobby Gallery
Los Angeles, CA
March 15–May 25, 2019
North Bennet Street School
Boston, MA
June 5–July 27, 2019
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
August 1–October 30, 2019

Three Week "Art and Building" Series with the Community Corporation of Santa Monica
2018-06-12 19:00 - 2018-06-26 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Community Corporation of Santa Monica, 1423 2nd St, Ste B, 90401, United States
Three Week “Art and Building” Series with the Community Corporation of Santa Monica
Artmaking Series for residents through CCSM: The Community Corporation of Santa Monica,
to create a creative display for the “Window Gallery” at 1424 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404.
We Will Build, Paint, Embellish!
Weekly from 7pm to 8:30pm on Tuesdays: June 12, 19 and 26.

Jam out on the Big Beach Book with Debra Disman
2018-04-21 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Jam out on the Big Beach Book with Debra Disman
Join bookmaker Debra Disman and embellish the ‘Big Beach Book,’ a people-sized book structure she developed with the community during the course of her recent Residency. Use paint pens, maps, repurposed book pages, collage materials and more, and add your special signature to this community driven project, inspired by the Camera, Palisades Park, the Santa Monica Beach and mountains, and of course, the blue Pacific! All are welcome.

Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen: New Works
2018-04-14 15:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen: New Works

Join us for the culminating exhibition of studio residents Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen, showing new works in fabric and paper. Debra Disman and Huong Nguyen are sharing the Camera Obscura Art Lab Studio space during their simultaneous residency, which spans January 10 to April 18, 2018.

Envelope Book with Debra Disman
2018-04-07 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Envelope Book with Debra Disman
Use folding and sewing methods to create a book that can be sent in the mail! Write a note to a stranger and add it to the Big Beach Book onsite, or take home to write your next letter. You can create accordion folded pages that pop out to surprise the recipient, or sew in signature pages that can be turned.

Creating Sculptural Books with Debra Disman
2018-04-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Creating Sculptural Books with Debra Disman
Create a book that stands on its own as a piece of sculpture, and pushes the very idea of ‘the book’ into new territory. Using new, found, natural and recycled materials you will put together a book that can be cut, built onto, stitched, textured, painted, covered and otherwise transformed into your private universe!

Make a Book to Celebrate Women Artists with Debra Disman
2018-03-27 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Granada Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, 10640 Petit Avenue Granada Hills, CA 91344, Granada Hills, United States
Make a Book to Celebrate Women Artists with Debra Disman
Artist Debra Disman will teach you how to make a flip book celebrating women artists. This program is part of Women’s Heritage Month.

Double Flower Fold Book with Debra Disman
2018-03-24 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Double Flower Fold Book with Debra Disman
Learn how to create a long or short book that utilizes repeated folded forms based that flattens into a single square. Add covers and a tie/ribbon, and embellish with all manner of materials. Also called an Exploding Book, this structure is perfect for treasured words: poems, love notes, fortunes and more.

Accordion Fold Book + Pockets with Debra Disman
2018-03-17 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Accordion Fold Book + Pockets with Debra Disman
Learn how to make an accordion fold or concertina book with pockets to create a literally unfolding story. Add beach photos, stories, dreams, memories, lists, recipes or letters – your epistolary novel awaits! You will also learn how to create a spine and tie for your book, so that any secrets it holds will be safe.

Book Cover Embellishments with Debra Disman
2018-03-10 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Book Cover Embellishments with Debra Disman
Join us for public workshops in bookmaking and more at the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica!
These workshops are being offered as part of my Studio Residency at the Art Lab, January 13-April 14, 2018. I will be creating and teaching in the beautiful Mid-century building that houses the Art Lab, overlooking Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific.
I am developing a gigantic group-created book – the Big Beach Book – during my residency, and you are invited to learn bookmaking skills while taking part!
Add to the cover of the Big Book with repurposed beach items such as plastic pieces, board and flip flops chunks, sand, small shells and other items that can be found in vicinity of the Art Lab. A variety of attachment methods will be taught, which you can use to embellish books, boxes, and other items.

Altered Pages with Debra Disman
2018-03-03 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Altered Pages with Debra Disman
Join us for public workshops in bookmaking and more at the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica!
These workshops are being offered as part of my Studio Residency at the Art Lab, January 13-April 14, 2018. I will be creating and teaching in the beautiful Mid-century building that houses the Art Lab, overlooking Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific.
I am developing a gigantic group-created book – the Big Beach Book – during my residency, and you are invited to learn bookmaking skills while taking part!
Create and alter collaged book pages for the Big Book using various print media, highlighting text and image through cutting, drawing, pasting, folding and black-out processes. Come away with a repertoire of alteration techniques you can use on your next rescued book.

Mural Painting with Debra Disman
2018-02-24 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean, 1450 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
Mural Painting with Debra Disman
Join us for public workshops in bookmaking and more at the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica!
These workshops are being offered as part of my Studio Residency at the Art Lab, January 13-April 14, 2018. I will be creating and teaching in the beautiful Mid-century building that houses the Art Lab, overlooking Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific.
I am developing a gigantic group-created book – the Big Beach Book – during my residency, and you are invited to learn bookmaking skills while taking part!
Explore mural and decorative painting techniques on Big Beach Book pages using paint pens – with the view out the Art Lab window and the surrounding environment for inspiration. Use your newly acquired techniques on a takeaway card!
