Bookmaking
West Valley Regional Branch Library Bookmaking Residency CULMINATION Event!!!!!
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
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.
Rainbow Butterfly Bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library Honors Pride Month!
The Residency is comprised of a series of bookmaking workshops presented at the Library, planned in close coordination with Library Staff.
Flower-fold Bookmaking Honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
I was thrilled to lead a bookmaking workshop, (called a “program” in Library parlance!) on May 11, 2023, celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (of May) with a “Flower-Fold” Bookmaking program using origami paper and folding techniques.
Participants of a range of ages learned to make the flower fold structure, then linked together several “flowers” into chains, added covers and ribbons. Some participants went on to develop their books with assorted materials including decorative papers, stickers and magazines.
The results were beautiful, and filled participants with pride as they navigated the trickier aspects of the process.
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 is comprised of a series of bookmaking workshops presented at the Library, planned in close coordination with Library Staff.
Hemp as Material and Muse
I was thrilled to be contacted by Nadine Avillar, the art director at Hemptique, a hemp and natural fiber craft supply company based in San Diego. Hemptique manufactures a large variety of hemp cords, ropes, twine, paper, fabrics, as well as bamboo and cotton products. They are the creator of organic apparel, accessories, with a focus on hemp products and supplies.
I use a great deal of hemp cord in my works, often listing it as a primary material.
Nadine contacted me in regards to my piece , “Before the Fall“. Hemptique was going to be an exhibitor at NAMTA, (Art and Creative Craft Materials, an organization for the creative industry) 2023 and she wanted to use a photo of my work on one of their promotional banners. NAMTA is the publisher of ART MATERIALS magazine and hold a trade show every year.
She said Hemptique has many contributors that work with their products who are more or less “crafters.” She wanted to show how I have used hemp cord in my mixed-media works. Eventually, the owners of Hemptique decided they wanted to use an image of another of my pieces, “Red Notebook” on the banner,
and an image of “Before the Fall” on their promotional postcard.
I was honored to be represented in this way, and also so happy to received boxes of marvelous Hemptique products/supplies/materials, to use not only in my works, but in projects, classes, programs and workshops that I conduct across LA Country. This was truly a win-win situation and I hope to continue the relationship with Hemptique, Nadine and the owners and staff with more collaborations and new ways of presenting, sharing about and promoting their wares.
Long Live HEMP!
Learn to Create a RAINBOW BUTTERFLY Book in Honor of PRIDE MONTH at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
Celebrate Pride Month at the West Valley Regional Library with our Artist in Residence, Debra Disman!
Learn to create the Rainbow Butterfly Book in honor of PRIDE month with our artist-in-residence Debra Disman!
Learn new skills while having fun!
All materials provided.