Debra Disman

Artist

  •

BOOK STRUCTURE

“Unfolding Possibilities”: Bookmaking at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art on Saturday Dec 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Not 5PM)

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Saturday Dec 13, 2025          10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Not 5PM)

Adult Art Class: Unfolding Possibilities—Bookmaking

Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman

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JOIN US!

Debra Disman and Shoebox Arts Present:


FREE Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman!

Calling all artists! Join us for an exciting FREE online bookmaking workshop where you’ll learn to create beautiful, versatile books using the innovative “Folded Fan” structure

Workshop Details:

What: Making Books Together: The “Folded Fan” Bookmaking Structure

When: August 27th at 11am PST

Instructor Debra Disman
Host: Shoebox Arts

Format: Live online workshop via Zoom

Cost: Completely FREE for all artists

Registration: Sign up using our Google form (link below)

Zoom Access: Participants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover the joy of creating the “Folded Fan” bookmaking structure—Debra’s own innovative take on the traditional Flag Book form. This versatile and sculptural book requires no hole punching or sewing, making it perfect for artists of all skill levels.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Create the foundational folded and glued structure

  • Display your book in multiple creative ways

  • Transform the sculptural form into a familiar codex format

  • Explore various presentation methods and artistic possibilities 

Debra will also share examples from her own extensive body of work, showing how she has used this structure to create numerous compelling book pieces.

What You Need

The beauty of this workshop is its accessibility—you can literally create this structure using just 4 pieces of standard 8.5 x 11″ copier paper! However, for the best results, Debra recommends having these materials on hand:

Essential Tools

  • Scissors (or just use folding and tearing techniques!)

  • Glue stick

  • Pencil

  • Bone folder (optional—you can use your glue stick as a folding tool)

Recommended Materials

  • Accordion Spine: One 11 x 17″ tag board or cardstock sheet

  • Covers: Two 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces of railroad board or similar cardboard

  • Pages: Three 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces (or slightly smaller at 5.25″ for easier handling)

Choose your own colors and get creative with your material choices!

Optional Enhancement Materials

  • Scrap paper and easy-to-glue fabric

  • Washi tape, decorative tapes, stickers, ribbon

  • Ephemera: old letters, cards, ticket stubs, journal pages, and other meaningful materials

Why This Workshop?

The “Folded Fan” structure is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal entry point for new bookmakers while offering endless creative possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in creating artist books, journals, display pieces, or sculptural works, this foundational technique will open up new avenues for your artistic expression.

Ready to Join?

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Debra Disman and connect with fellow artists in our supportive online community. Spaces are limited, so register today!

Remember: You’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the workshop, so keep an eye on your inbox!

We can’t wait to see what beautiful books you’ll create. Happy making

Questions about the workshop? Feel free to reach out to Shoebox Arts for more information. shoeboxartsla@gmail.com

 

Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman

By


FREE Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman!

Calling all artists! Join us for an exciting FREE online bookmaking workshop where you’ll learn to create beautiful, versatile books using the innovative “Folded Fan” structure

Workshop Details:

What: Making Books Together: The “Folded Fan” Bookmaking Structure

When: August 27th at 11am PST

Instructor Debra Disman
Host: Shoebox Arts

Format: Live online workshop via Zoom

Cost: Completely FREE for all artists

Registration: Sign up using our Google form (link below)

Zoom Access: Participants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover the joy of creating the “Folded Fan” bookmaking structure—Debra’s own innovative take on the traditional Flag Book form. This versatile and sculptural book requires no hole punching or sewing, making it perfect for artists of all skill levels.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Create the foundational folded and glued structure

  • Display your book in multiple creative ways

  • Transform the sculptural form into a familiar codex format

  • Explore various presentation methods and artistic possibilities 

Debra will also share examples from her own extensive body of work, showing how she has used this structure to create numerous compelling book pieces.

What You Need

The beauty of this workshop is its accessibility—you can literally create this structure using just 4 pieces of standard 8.5 x 11″ copier paper! However, for the best results, Debra recommends having these materials on hand:

Essential Tools

  • Scissors (or just use folding and tearing techniques!)

  • Glue stick

  • Pencil

  • Bone folder (optional—you can use your glue stick as a folding tool)

Recommended Materials

  • Accordion Spine: One 11 x 17″ tag board or cardstock sheet

  • Covers: Two 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces of railroad board or similar cardboard

  • Pages: Three 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces (or slightly smaller at 5.25″ for easier handling)

Choose your own colors and get creative with your material choices!

Optional Enhancement Materials

  • Scrap paper and easy-to-glue fabric

  • Washi tape, decorative tapes, stickers, ribbon

  • Ephemera: old letters, cards, ticket stubs, journal pages, and other meaningful materials

Why This Workshop?

The “Folded Fan” structure is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal entry point for new bookmakers while offering endless creative possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in creating artist books, journals, display pieces, or sculptural works, this foundational technique will open up new avenues for your artistic expression.

Ready to Join?

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Debra Disman and connect with fellow artists in our supportive online community. Spaces are limited, so register today!

Remember: You’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the workshop, so keep an eye on your inbox!

We can’t wait to see what beautiful books you’ll create. Happy making

Questions about the workshop? Feel free to reach out to Shoebox Arts for more information. shoeboxartsla@gmail.com

 

Flag Book and Variations: Book Structures Workshop with artist Debra Disman

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I am thrilled to partner with Textile Arts LA and the Patricia Sweetow Gallery to teach “Flag Book and Variations: Book Structures Workshop”
on 

September 29 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

ENJOY BOOKMAKING IN COMMUNITY IN A GALLERY SETTING!

Presented by Textile Arts LA!

In Conjunction with Patricia Sweetow Gallery

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create the kinetic and versatile “Flag Book” structure, as well as a full-page variant, termed the “Folded Fan”. You’ll learn how to make folded page variations, and how to create one and two-cut apertures and pop-ups. With a focus on textiles and fiber, participants will explore ways to develop, embellish, and adorn their books with texture, color, pattern, and image, as well as how to employ “found writing” to add text.

I will guide you in the methods and extensive applications of the accordion fold in bookmaking, gluing, and collage techniques, ways of adding stitching/sewing, and how to create poetic text effortlessly will also be covered. The last hour of the workshop will be devoted to bringing projects to completion as time permits, how to add techniques from the participants’ chosen art forms and expertise to their books, and sharing completed or in-process books as desired.

Materials Included:

Book board prepared for book covers
Acid-free paper prepared for book spines
Acid free- glue sticks
Neutral pH Adhesive/brushes
Scissors
Folding tools
Awls/punching tools
Hemp and other cord and thread
Drawing and Writing Materials
Print Media (repurposed)
Fabric and paper scrap and samples (repurposed)
Designer wallpaper and textile samples

Materials/Tools to Bring if Desired:

Favorite scissors for cutting paper and fabric
Awl or other “punching” tool
Collage materials (that can be glued with a glue stick or fluid adhesive)
Print Media to cut up and repurpose (magazines/books/brochures/postcards

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024. 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Patricia Sweetow Gallery 1700 So. Santa Fe Ave. Suite 351, Los Angeles, CA 90021.
parking available

SIGN UP HERE!

Flag Book and Variations: Book Structures Workshop with artist Debra Disman

By

ENJOY BOOKMAKING IN COMMUNITY IN A GALLERY SETTING!

Presented by Textile Arts LA!

In Conjunction with Patricia Sweetow Gallery

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create the kinetic and versatile “Flag Book” structure, as well as a full-page variant, termed the “Folded Fan”. You’ll learn how to make folded page variations, and how to create one and two-cut apertures and pop-ups. With a focus on textiles and fiber, participants will explore ways to develop, embellish, and adorn their books with texture, color, pattern, and image, as well as how to employ “found writing” to add text.

Debra will guide you in the methods and extensive applications of the accordion fold in bookmaking, gluing, and collage techniques, ways of adding stitching/sewing, and how to create poetic text effortlessly will also be covered. The last hour of the workshop will be devoted to bringing projects to completion as time permits, how to add techniques from the participants’ chosen art forms and expertise to their books, and sharing completed or in-process books as desired.

Materials Included:

Book board prepared for book covers
Acid-free paper prepared for book spines
Acid free- glue sticks
Neutral pH Adhesive/brushes
Scissors
Folding tools
Awls/punching tools
Hemp and other cord and thread
Drawing and Writing Materials
Print Media (repurposed)
Fabric and paper scrap and samples (repurposed)
Designer wallpaper and textile samples

Materials/Tools to Bring if Desired:

Favorite scissors for cutting paper and fabric
Awl or other “punching” tool
Collage materials (that can be glued with a glue stick or fluid adhesive)
Print Media to cut up and repurpose (magazines/books/brochures/postcards)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024. 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Patricia Sweetow Gallery 1700 So. Santa Fe Ave. Suite 351, Los Angeles, CA 90021.
parking available

SIGN UP HERE!

 

PAPERWORKS 2022

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I am thrilled to participate in
PAPERWORKS 2022
an international, juried exhibition featuring  artists creating work on, with, or about paper,
presented by the  B.J. Spokes Gallery

August 1 – August 31 2022 online

I am showing:  

“Throes of the Body”

 

Juror: Kiko Aebi is a Curatorial Assistant in the Department of Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art, a position which she has held since 2019. In this role, she has provided exhibition and acquisition support on various projects. Most recently, she worked with Senior Curator Jodi Hauptman and Associate Curator Samantha Friedman on Cézanne Drawing (2021) and contributed texts to the associated exhibition catalogue. She is the recipient of a Fulbright Research Grant and holds an M.A. in Contemporary Art History from Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and a B.A. in Art History and Environmental Studies from Amherst College.

Works by the winners of the international Paperworks 2022 competition will be on display on the Gallery website from August 1 – 31, 2022. There will be a Zoom reception on Saturday, August 13th. Meet and chat with the artists online and meet juror Kiko Aebi, Museum of Modern Art, NY.

Join us for the ZOOM RECEPTION for Paperworks!
Saturday, August 13th, 7 pm EST / 4PM PST!
Meet the artists! Meet the juror! Ask Questions!
Register with this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-iuqzsoGNdKqDWGnJeAKSIa8RuCl204