Debra Disman

Artist

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Book Structures

Making Flag Books at the Brand!

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I was thrilled to lead a fun and fabulous flag book workshop at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale!

Supported by The Associates of Brand, the workshop was held in conjunction with Brand 51: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, now on view in the Brand Library and Art Center galleries.

I am honored to be showing in this exhibition, and it provided an excellent context the workshop, in which participants learned how to make the versatile accordion folded spine and combine image and text in a way that allowed them to become author, artist, designer and writer in one fell swoop!

We dedicated the workshop to the creative efforts of all those facing challenges caused by the fires that raged on Maui.

A meaningful time was had by all.


Assembling the components, Covers, flag pages, and accordion spine (to be folded).


Using a wooden tool designed for ceramics to assist in folding.


Cutting up treasures to create more treasures!


Adding personal writing.


Writing in a personally created language and alphabet!


Adding maps.


Using origami paper, and origami methods!


Here’s to the black, white and brown!


Creatively employing the exhibition postcard as book covers.


A beautiful marriage of image, text, design, art and craft!
The message of this piece says it all….

May it be so.

Creating the Fun and Fabulous Flag Book at the Brand!!!

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I am thrilled to lead a fun and fabulous flag book workshop at the Brand Library and Art Center!!!

The Associates of Brand invite you to join us in a special event workshop to learn how to create a fun and fabulous Flag Book! You will combine art, craft, bookmaking and creative writing in a paper-based project inspired by the Brand 51: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, now on view in the Gallery at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale!
Learn how to make the versatile accordion fold and combine image and text in a way that allows you to become author, artist, designer and writer in one fell swoop!
Workshop leader and Brand 51 artist Debra Disman is known for her work inspired by the book. As both maker and teaching artist, she invites you to explore the book as art by mixing media and materials to express yourself and invite new ways of viewing the world and how we inhabit it. 

When: Saturday, August 12, 2023

            11 am-12:30 pm

Where: Brand Library & Art Center

            1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale

Who: Free and open to people of all ages

         We ask that children be 6 years old and above and accompanied by an adult

 How:  Limited to the 25 participants

          RSVP to Debra Thompson, President of the Associates by August 10

          debra@associatesofbrand.org

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

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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!

 

“We Write the Book” Artist Residency: Goodbye and Hello

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It is bittersweet to complete my third year as Artist-in-Residence for the West Valley Regional Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!
Our “We Write the Book” series offered hands-on bookmaking workshops and culmination event for over 171 intergenerational  participants from a variety of backgrounds from July of 2022 through June of 2023.

View a slideshow video of our projects here!

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See what participants have to say here!

I am thrilled to begin a new year-long residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library July 18th, 2023!  Our new “We Write the Book” program will run through June 2023, and offer hands-on bookmaking workshops on a monthly basis to the public.

Our next workshop will be August 19th at noon.

So, goodbye to West Valley, and hello to Canoga Park. We invite You to Join us for fun, learning, community, creativity and self-expression!

 

Artist Residency Culminating Event at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!

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Celebrating our year long  “We Write the Book” artist residency at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, supported by The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!

Enjoy the ride. We did!

       

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West Valley Regional Branch Library Bookmaking Residency CULMINATION Event!!!!!

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Welcome to the culmination of our “We Write The Book” artist residency in bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, supported by The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

We hope you enjoy seeing this overview of our bookmaking program workshops and Culmination Event for our 2022-2023 Residency!

“WE WRITE THE BOOK”

Artist Residency at the
West Valley Regional Branch Library
Debra Disman – Artist in Residence
Supported by
The City of Los Angeles  Department of Cultural Affairs

 

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This offering was part of my Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Residency was comprised of a series of bookmaking workshops presented at the Library, planned in close coordination with Library Staff.