Debra Disman

Artist

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Bookmaking

From the Inside Out

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I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) students.

I taught the flag book structure, and the stellar English VAPA teacher Mrs. Leserman worked with the students in class between the workshops to develop their books.

To connect the project with her VAPA English Curriculum which included the study of J.D. Salinger‘s Catcher in the Rye,  she had the students develop the outsides of their books to reflect the ways they felt they were being seen, and how they wanted to be seen by the outside world, and then directed them to develop the inside flag pages to express how they actually felt on the inside.

The results were both moving and stunning.

Wide Open Bookmaking

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I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community.

It was great fun to lead a bookmaking workshop in early February for a group that meets at the Library called, “Wide Open Reading”. What a wonderful-sounding activity!

Participants came together to create single signature sewn books, with pockets created by an “inner cover” or casing, and glued on covers. A

A creative time was had by all!

Participants learned about signatures (a gathering of folded pages that comprise the text block of a traditional western style codex book structure),

and sewed signatures that had been prepared for them into an inner cover, with folded pockets.

They then had a blast using all kinds of materials to develop, embellish and adorn their inside and outside covers, and even a few pages!

Camaraderie and interaction among the group is a big part of the fun.

And, of course, pride in the final (or not so final) “product”.

Wide Open Reading deserves wide open bookmaking, and the makers certainly achieved this.

Bravo!

Accordions, Books and Stories at the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library

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I am honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community.

To kick off the new year and decade, I taught an accordion fold book with pockets workshop, and engaged families and individuals in creating their own books to hold memories, hopes, dreams, wishes and other treasures.


Participants folded prepared pastel paper into accordion pages and pockets.


and added covers, then developed content, embellished and decorated!


One young maker created a highly developed work telling the story of Little Red Riding Hood, in her own way.


Complete with text and illustrations.


Don’t forget the jewels!

Treasures to hold treasures to last a lifetime….

Happy 2020!

Keep Precious Memories Stored in a Journal Session 2

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Join us to create your own journal using single signature binding techniques.

Learn how to create a book with a spine, covers and pages in which to to store your precious memories, doodle, dream, draw and write!

“Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman will teach patrons how to use sewing techniques to bind together their own journal. This program is possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.”

This program series is part of my artist residency through the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs in bookmaking!

Keep Precious Memories Stored in a Journal Session 1

By

Join us to create your own journal using single signature binding techniques.

Learn how to create a book with a spine, covers and pages in which to to store your precious memories, doodle, dream, draw and write!

“Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman will teach patrons how to use sewing techniques to bind together their own journal. This program is possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.”

This program series is part of my artist residency through the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs in bookmaking!

The Art of the Book: Crafting Our Stories by Hand Exhibition and Culminating Event

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Join Us at Craft Contemporary (Formerly know as the Craft and Folk Art Museum)
Saturday, March 28 | 2 – 4 PM | Free

Artist Debra Disman and participants of our older adults’ workshop will host an outdoor exhibition reception, featuring the artists’ books they created over the course of the series, and facilitate a bookmaking activity for attendees. This program is generously sponsored by Aroha Philanthropies.