• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Debra Disman

Artist

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Work
  • About
    • CV
    • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Blog

Andres Payan Estrada

“CRAFTING MEMORIES”

October 11, 2021 By Debra Disman

“Crafting Memories: An Online Bookmaking Workshop Series is specifically designed by Craft Contemporary and artist Debra Disman for adults over the age of 55. This program is made possible by funding from Aroha Philanthropies and is part of a nationwide campaign to bring thoughtful and specialized programs to a valuable population that is often undeserved by arts institutions. 

For this special program, participants learned a variety of basic and experimental bookmaking techniques used to tell their own stories through materials and the handmade. The goal of this workshop series was to create a space to explore our stories through book forms and to express our creativity by bringing together an extensive number of materials, mementos, and memories collected through our lives.”

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.

See the fabulous website page on the Craft Contemporary website featuring the amazing works of our talented participants HERE!

See their handmade books and read about what gathering online to learn new skills and create together meant to each of them!

You won’t forget your visit!

Filed Under: Artists' Books, BOOKS, Presentations, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: Adults over age 55, Aging and Creativity, Andres Payan, Andres Payan Estrada, Aroha Philanthropies, Art Programs for Seniors, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Bookmaking, Bookmaking online, Craft Contemporary, Craft Contemporary Museum, Creative Aging, Distance learning, Handmade Books, Older Adults, Online Art programs, Online learning, Russ Haan, Seniors, Suzanne Iksen, Teaching Artist, Teaching Artists, Vitlity Arts

Watch AROHA Philanthropies: CREATIVE AGING in Action!

January 22, 2021 By Debra Disman

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 

Filed Under: ARTISTS, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: Adults over age 55, After Hours Creative, Andres Payan, Andres Payan Estrada, Aroha Philanthropies, Art Programs for Seniors, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Bookmaking, Craft Contemporary, Craft Contemporary Museum, Creative Aging, Distance learning, Handmade Books, LACMA, los Angeles County Museum of Art, Older Adults, Online Art programs, Online learning, Russ Haan, Seniors, Suzanne Iksen, Teaching Artist, Teaching Artists

Exhibitionista: “The Artful Book” xxxooo

October 7, 2019 By Debra Disman

The Artful Book Exhibition just opened at The Long Beach Museum of Art.

It is an exciting exhibition that among other things aims also to educate the public about the nature and role and diversity of book arts in the present day.

Tour the exhibition!

The video provides a fascinating glimpse into the displayed works.  One of the challenges of showing work that is in book form is how to share all its surfaces, spaces, elements and facets. Most of the works in the show are under cases. One is accompanied by a pair of white gloves for viewers to don and turn its pages. One hangs from the ceiling, and others are on the wall.

My beloved Mark Henry Samuel,  enjoying a well-deserved moment, after an intense drive through Friday night rush our traffic from Santa Monica to Long Beach. What a gorgeous night!

Wonderful to see mentor, colleague, teach and friend,  Sue Ann Robinson, Curator Emerita of the LBMA, and devoted member of the California Chapter of the Guild of BookWorkers


Love this broadside by Jean Gillingwators.


Sue Ann’s great work Chisholm Hours.


Great to see Andres Payan Estrada, Curator of Public Engagement at the LA jewel, Craft Contemporary.

Proud to show and share my work in this beautiful venue alongside wondrous artists and makers and lovers of the Book,
in all its forms.

Gratitudes.

Filed Under: Artists' Books, Exhibitions, New Work, Work Tagged With: Andres Payan Estrada, Book Arts, Book as Art, Califonria Chapter of the Guild of BookWorkers, California Chapter Member Exhibit, Claire Falkenstein, Handmade Books, Jean Gillingwators, LBMA, Sculptural Artist Books, Sculptural Books, Sue Ann Robinson, Terry Braunstein, The Art of the Book, The Artful Book, The Guild of Bookworkers, The Long Beach Museum of Art

Primary Sidebar

Recent Blog Posts