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Debra Disman

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Accordion Book Structure

“We Write the Book” Bookmaking series kicks off at the Northridge Library September 13th!

August 25, 2025 By Debra Disman

“We Write the Book” “Kick-off” Workshop at the Northridge Library!

Our kick-off “We Write the Book” 2025 workshop at the Northridge Library is happening Saturday September 13th!
JOIN US!

I am thrilled to “kick-off” my “We Write The Book”  Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR)artist residency at the Northridge Public Library supported by the  Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs .


We will be learning the accordion fold as well as one and two-cut pop-ups and how to reinforce our books with “double covers”.

All ages and levels of experience welcome!


JOIN US!

I am honored to be serving the City of Los Angeles again through the DCA.

Our workshops are completely free to community with  all materials and refreshments included, supported by the  City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Tagged With: Accordion, Accordion Book Structure, Accordion Fold Book, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, Artist Residency, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Artists, Book, Book as Art, Book Structures, BOOKBINDING, Bookmaking, Books, Books made by Hand, Community, Community Artmaking, COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING, concertina, DCA LA, DCA-funded artist residency, Families Making Books, Family Bookmaking, Folded and glues books, Handmade Books, Intergenerational Arts workshops, LAPL, Librarians, libraries, Los Angeles Public Library, Making Books Together, mixed media books, NEAR, NEAR Residency, Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency, Northridge, Northridge Branch Library, Paper Engineering, Pop-up Books, Presentations, San Fernando Valley, Storymaking, Student Work, Teaching Artist, TEXTILE/FIBER, Textiles/Fiber/Cloth, The Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, Venues, Work Tagged With: art-making workshops for families

Getting Ready for the Holidays at the Canoga Branch Library!

November 24, 2023 By Debra Disman

Book arts are alive and well at the Canoga Park Branch Library!

I am thrilled to continue my artist residency there, working with the community, teaching bookmaking workshops (or leading “programs” in library parlance!)

The series, entitled “We Write the Book”, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included!

On November 18th community participants gathered to create a recipe book for the holidays and beyond. They learned how to sew a single signature (gathering of folded pages) together using the three hole  pamphlet stitch, then had the option of adding envelopes to hold treasured recipes! Decorative papers, fabric trims, stickers, markers, postcards and more were also available to use as embellishment and development of their book works.

Participants across generations created beautiful and fun books, with encouragement to keep working on them over time, and adding more recipes!

 

 

Filed Under: Artist in Residence, Artists' Books, Teaching Artist Tagged With: Accordion, Accordion Book Structure, Accordion Fold, Accordion Fold Book, Artist Residency, Artist Residency Culmination, Book, Book as Art, Book Structures, BOOKBINDING, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, Canoga Park Branch Library, Canoga Park Library, Community Artmaking, COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING, Creating travel journals, Culmination, DCA LA, DCA-funded artist residency, Family Recipes, Handmade Books, Holiday bookmaking, Holidays, Intergenerational Arts workshops, LAPL, Librarians, Los Angeles Public Library, Making Books Together, mixed media books, PAMPHLET STITCH, Recipe Book, Self-expression, Sewn Books, SIGNATURE, Signle signature book, Summer reading, The Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, three hole Pamphlet Stitch

Getting Organized with Bookmaking at the Canoga Park Branch Library!

August 20, 2023 By Debra Disman

We held our second  “We Write the Book” artist residency program at the Canoga Park Branch Library on August 19, 2023.

The series, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included

In the spirit of getting organized for the new academic year, I taught participants ranging from small children to seniors how to create an accordion-fold book with pockets, add covers, then sew in “signatures” (gatherings of folded pages), to make their books super organizing tools, with places to store notes, make notes, and take notes!

The series, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included!

Participants from children to teens to families to seniors learned how to create the accordion fold book structure and add pockets, then develop their books with a variety of decorative and print materials to make them their own.  A good time was had by all, as those attending learned new skills, socialized and inspired each other with their book creations!
Even the Librarians got into the act!

Children’s Librarian Luz and teen volunteer Scott supported participants while creating their own books!


Scott cuts lengths of beautiful striped and glittering paper cord for participants to use in sewing their signatures into the folds of their accordion structures.


Library volunteer Carmen and participant Laura move through the process.


Stellar participant Gina helps fellow student.


We were joined by an energetic family of five, helmed by this intrepid Mom!


Playing with color, textures, design and form are the nuts and bolts of the process. Participants made creative decisions and learned about themselves in the process, while gaining skills in folding, cutting, sewing and gluing.

We hope to see everhone back next month, at 12:00 noon on Saturday September 23rd!

Filed Under: Artist in Residence, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Presentations, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: Accordion, Accordion Book Structure, Accordion Fold, Accordion Fold Book, Accordion fold book with sewn signatures, Artist Residency, Artist Residency Culmination, Book, Book as Art, Book Structures, BOOKBINDING, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, Books with Pockets, Canoga Park Branch Library, Canoga Park Library, Community Artmaking, COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING, Culmination, DCA LA, DCA-funded artist residency, Getting organized, Handmade Books, Intergenerational Arts workshops, LAPL, Librarians, Los Angeles Public Library, Making Books Together, mixed media books, Organization, Self-expression, Starting school year, Summer reading, The Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles

“We Write The Book” Artist Residency Begins at the Canoga Park Branch Library!

July 26, 2023 By Debra Disman

We “kicked off” our “We Write the Book” artist residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library on July 18, 2023 with an accordion-fold book workshop (“Program” in library parlance)!
The series, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included!

Participants from children to teens to families to seniors learned how to create the accordion fold book structure and add pockets, then develop their books with a variety of decorative and print materials to make them their own.  A good time was had by all, as those attending learned new skills, socialized and inspired each other with their book creations!
Even the Librarians got into the act!

 

Filed Under: Artist in Residence, Artists' Books, BOOKS Tagged With: Accordion, Accordion Book Structure, Accordion Fold, Accordion Fold Book, Artist Residency, Artist Residency Culmination, Book, Book as Art, Book Structures, BOOKBINDING, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, Canoga Park Branch Library, Canoga Park Library, Community Artmaking, COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING, Creating travel journals, Culmination, DCA LA, DCA-funded artist residency, Handmade Books, Intergenerational Arts workshops, LAPL, Librarians, Los Angeles Public Library, Making Books Together, mixed media books, Self-expression, Summer reading, The Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles

THE ART OF THE BOOK at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art!

November 11, 2020 By Debra Disman

Kids Art Class: Fall Art Camp—The Art of the Book (Ages 9–12)

Create your own books using fun folding and gluing techniques! Add your own writings, drawings, photographs, and more! Sketchbook, journal, album—what will YOUR book become? Each class will teach techniques for creating fun and fantastic books, and unleash your imagination!
With artist Debra Disman.

Join on your computer or tablet wherever you have internet. A Zoom link will be sent prior to camp start. Materials are included in tuition.

Three Days: Monday–Wednesday, November 23–25

  • Mon, Nov 23, Tuesday Nov 24, Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
  • 10 am–12 pm PT
  • Online
  • Art Camp is designed for children ages 9-12; children ages 8 and under will not be admitted.
  • NexGenLA Members $100; General Public $125
  • Pre-registration is required for all classes
  • Tuition includes materials.
  • Additional fee for shipping.
  • For additional art class information, please contact ArtClasses@lacma.org.
  • For ticketing support, contact boxoffice@lacma.org.
  • Please visit LACMA’s FAQ page for our refund policy.
Get Tickets
Add to Calendar

Tagged With: "Make Your Own Books!", Accordion Binding, Accordion Book Structure, Accordion Book with Pockets, Ages 9–12, Art, Art Museum Class, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Book, Bookmaking, Fall Art Camp, Family Art Classes, Flag Book, Flag Books and Found Writing, Folded and glued Books, Folded Fan Book, Found Writing, Handmade Books, Kids Art Class, LACMA, Online Art Classes, The Art of the Book

FALL HOLIDAY BOOKMAKING Through the Panorama City Branch Library

October 7, 2020 By Debra Disman

Tagged With: Accordion Book Structure, ACCORDION SPINE, AIR Program, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, Bookmaking for Teens, City Department of Cultural Affairs, Family Bookmaking, Folded Fan Book, LA Department of Cultural Affairs, LAPL, Los Angeles Public Library System, Online Art programs, Online Bookmaking Programs, Panorama Branch Library, Panorama City Branch Library

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