art-making workshops for families
Learn about ground breaking women artists Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe. All materials included!
“We Write the Book” FOLDED FAN Bookmaking Workshop at the Northridge Library!
I am thrilled to conduct our “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 . This residency is a collaboration between myself, the Library and the DCA.
Our second workshop in the series saw us creating a “FOLDED FAN” book, with people of all ages working together in community. Families, adults, children and community members worked side by side, learning about materials, techniques and how to put it all together to create a unique book art work!
Lead Librarian Emily Aaronson introduces the program.
New friendships may be born!
Repurposing materials in fresh ways!
Use of repurposed calendar pages and more.
Choosing and using materials.
Focused making.
Development of a theme.
Engrossed in creating.
Exciting bookmaking workshops will be held at the Northridge Branch Library from February through May, 2025, on selected Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturday mornings 11:00am – 12:30PM.
JOIN US! All programs are FREE and Open to the Public, with materials provided.

“We Write The Book” FLAG BOOK Workshop at the Northridge Library!
Join us as we learn to create the fun and fantastic FLAG BOOK at the Northridge Branch Library in honor of Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and Women Artists everywhere!
Learn about ground breaking women artists Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe. All materials included!
I am thrilled to work with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR). I am honored to be serving the City of Los Angeles again through the DCA.

I am an artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May, 2025, every other Wednesday afternoon, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturday 11:00am – 12:30PM
JOIN US!
Our kick-off “We Write the Book” workshop at the Northridge Library!
I was delighted 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 .
I am honored to be serving the City of Los Angeles again through the DCA.
Our first workshop, or program, in Library parlance, was an accodion-fold book with pockets. Families, Parents, Adults, Children, Community Members all joined us to learn, create and share together.
A wonderful time was had by ALL.
I will be an artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May, 2025, on selected Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturday mornings 11:00am – 12:30PM.
JOIN US!
“We Write The Book” February Kick-off at the Northridge Branch Library!!!!
“We Write The Book” comes to Northridge!
Beginning February 19 2025 @ 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Join us and learn to create an accordion-fold book with pockets!
I am thrilled to work again with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR)

I will be an artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May, 2025, every other Wednesday afternoon, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturday 11:00am – 12:30PM
I am honored to be serving the City of Los Angeles again through the DCA.
Let the bookmaking begin!
Bookmaking with Self-Compassion
Recovery Justice: Being Well
“Being Well” is what we seek together as neighbors, and recalls one of the central guiding principles of the City of Santa Monica, the notion of “wellbeing” as key to civic health. Recovery Justice: Being Well, aims to highlight the recent circumstances that have evolved during the pandemic (racial justice demonstrations and destruction, as well as social discontent and general disconnection) into a series of self-organized artist projects that merges the exterior and interior public spaces of City of Santa Monica property. 18th Street Airport Campus at Santa Monica Municipal Airport will be the site where artists reimagine the city and beyond in the midst of complex social unrest globally. Recovery Justice will recuperate through various means the digital and physical footprints left in a city that struggles to reclaim the seemingly peaceful environment it once had. Artists will develop a palette for making and sharing artworks responding to the street experience in safe, healing and expressive modes. This porous series is a point of departure to reconcile and redefine the concept of justice.
WE RISE PROJECTS: THIS MAY
For the We Rise series of projects related to Recovery Justice: Being Well, 18th Street Arts Center will produce a series of artist-led workshops and civic engagement projects addressing mental health for youth and for families in Spanish and English.
ARTS LEARNING LAB @ HOME: CREATIVE SELF-COMPASSION
This May, we are thrilled to present three new Arts Learning Lab @ Home art-making workshops for families all around wellbeing and self-compassion. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and taking time for creativity together with loved ones is a key part of self-care in these uncertain times. We are partnering with WE RISE LA (https://werise.la/) to bring these moments for creative growth to you, centered around the theme of wellbeing as we navigate coming out of a pandemic and transitioning to new routines together.
We will be providing ALL@HOME Art Kits with materials for each workshop that will be available for pick up from 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, for those that live in the LA Metro area, but all materials will also be easily found at home or at a local supply store. More information on Art Kit pick-up will be provided once you register for a workshop. Supplies are limited and are first come, first serve. All of the virtual workshops will be presented on Zoom, and interpretation will be provided in both English and Spanish.
May 15, 2021 at 11 AM- 12:30 PM [Virtual: Zoom] Bookmaking with Self-Compassion | Debra Disman

Debra Disman, Narrow Bridge, (inside) 2016, 5.5 x 16 x 3.5 inches, Artists’ Book/Mixed Media (board, paper, fabric, linen thread).
Make an artist book celebrating your own creative growth!!!
Join 18th Street Arts Center artist in residence, Debra Disman and discover how to create the beautiful, fun and versatile Flower Fold book into which you can write or paste wishes, hopes, prayers and dreams, make into a chain to hang in your home, or give as a gift. Explore what the pandemic has meant to you while learning new skills and creating a unique expression of renewal and rebirth during the spring season.