Debra Disman

Artist

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Artists' Book/s

Getting Lit: Making Matchbox Books at the Granada Hills Public Library

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It has been exciting to lead programs at the Granada Hills Branch Library of the LAPL, as part of  my Artist Residency there:  “We Write the Book“, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I led a workshop on how to create mini “matchbox books”.  Open to the whole community, participants included families, seniors, children, adults and youth.  Participants used actual matchboxes as the container or “cover of their books, and folded accordion pages to place inside them. I had appropriately-sized images of the work of five amazing women artists, who the makers learned about, and used in and on their pieces.

Faith Ringgold of New York City,  Yayoi Kusama of Japan,  Liza Lou    of Los Angeles,  Frida Kahlo   of Mexico, and  Georgia O’Keeffe of New Mexico were featured, nd participants incorporated images of their work and the artists themselves into their projects, hopefully learning about them and being inspired in the process


Families work together.


Honored members of the Friends of the Library joined us.


Mother and daughter work side by side.


I couldn’t agree more!


Purple and pink…perennial favorites.

 
Kusama’s polka dots rule….


Kahlo graces the cover…


Our fearless, peerless teen librarian, Kristin Peers, joins the fun!

It is such an honor to serve this community as Artist in Residence, and get to know the families and individuals who frequent the Branch, as well as its awesome Staff.

Gratitudes!

Envelope Book Workshop

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Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman will lead a “Envelope Bookmaking” workshop!

Learn to create a book that can be sent through the mail…snail mail!
Create heartfelt gifts and cards, and develop your own content while learning new skills.

All are welcome!

This workshop is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

“Let’s Make Books”

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Join us to learn to make a fun accordion fold book with pop-ups that you can use as a gift, a card, or just for yourself!

Ages 5-12, all materials provided.  Children under 5 will need the active participation of a parent/caregiver.

Seeing Double Vision: Double Flower Bookmaking

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It has been exciting to lead programs at the Granada Hills Branch Library of the LAPL, as part of  my Artist Residency there:  “We Write the Book“, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

In honor of  Chinese New Year, community members participated in creating “Double Flower” books (also known as “Exploding Books”).

Both adults and children learned to fold and “pop-out” the basic structure. They then made several and glued them together to create a  long or short book of repeated folded forms  that flatten into a single square. Finally, they had a blast adding covers and a tie if they wished, and embellishing their creations with all manner of materials.


Sisters with their folded up books: books closed..


Books open!


Taking the materials in another direction…


Mom gets into the act making her own Double Flower creation.

 


I also taught the “Turkish Map Fold”, (but that is another story…), and this intrepid maker was able to create one on her own!


Dad gets a gift from daughter…


The work of our hands…

Celebrating the beauty of the holiday, in community, creating together.

A Striking Matchbox “Mini” Book Workshop

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Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman will lead a workshop that focuses on making Matchbox “Mini” Books featuring women artists.

The program is designed for teens but all are welcome!

This workshop is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. This program is part of Women’s Heritage Month.