Bookmaking
Earth Poetry Bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
I was thrilled to lead a bookmaking workshop, (called a “program” in Library parlance!) on April 13, 2023, celebrating the Poetry Month of April through the lens of Earth Day/Nature/The Environment.
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.
For our EARTH POETRY BOOKAMKING program, participants of all ages learned to create a bound book that can be hung on the wall as well as about the 17 syllable technique of creating HAIKU poetry.
Once each maker had bound their book together, they were free to fill it with poetry, stories, illustrations, stickers, drawings and collage! The results were moving and inspiring, as testified to by Branch Manager, Kevin Hasely in this short video! Watch VIDEO.
Exploring the inner and outer POET!
We were thrilled to welcome a group of 8-12 year-olds from a program of the nearby police cadet academy!
Playing with materials.
Mother and son work together!
20-somethings explored their creativity!
Participants worked together and on their own.
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Employing stickers and origami papers to great effect.
Storywriting!
Utilizing the Haiku poems from the information packet passed out.
Learning about HAIKU poetry.
Classic…
The import of kindness.
Cooperation.
Discovery.
Material abundance!
Sharing.
Friend fun!
PURE JOY!!!
Celebrate Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
Join us and learn how to create the Flower Fold book with Artist in Residence Debra
Disman!
Celebrate springtime and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, and add special hopes and wishes to your book. All materials included.
This program is part of my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Residency in bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
“Women Artists Unfolding”: Celebrating Women Artists at the West Valley Regional Branch Library
In honor of Women’s History Month (March) the West Valley Regional Branch Library celebrated women artists with a bookmaking workshop led by artist in residence Debra Disman!
Patrons joined us to create their own handmade books which unfolded to hold informative and inspiring images and information about renowned artists Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama. All materials were provided. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Yayoi Kusama and her ubiquitous polka dots was a hit!
BOYS MAKING BOOKS!
I was thrilled to teach “Make Your Own Books” through the City of Santa Monica’s CREST Enrichment program during January and February 2023!
I had a fantastic class of all boys who worked together beautifully, learned enthusiastically, and displayed great creativity and passion for their book projects!
Here is what one Mom said of her son’s experience with bookmaking:
“Owen is so sad he will be missing the last class this week as we are out of town. I wanted to share how much this class has changed Owen. He is obsessed with making books now and holds his own comic book club…daily…with his Dad and I. He carries them everywhere. He shows everyone.”
This was thrilling for me to hear…it is what a teaching artist lives for!
Below are they boys in action during our after-school program:
Celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
Join us to celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month in one project at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!
Learn how to create a special book that can hang on the wall, and how to write Haiku Poetry to put in it!
Combine visual art and writing and learn new skills!
This program is part of my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Residency in bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!