Books with Pockets
Bookmaking for the New Year at the Canoga Park Library!
Book arts are alive and well at the Canoga Park Branch Library!
I am thrilled to continue my artist residency there, working with the community, teaching bookmaking workshops (or leading “programs” in library parlance!)
The series, entitled “We Write the Book”, 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!
On January 10, 2024 community participants gathered to create an “organizer” book for the New Year and beyond. Participants folded a pocketed accordion book, added covers, then launched into adorning their books with images, decorative papers, “gems”, markers and more. They added “note” papers to their pockets with inspirational words and images. A beautiful, and hopeful time was had by all!
Getting Organized with Bookmaking at the Canoga Park Branch Library!
We held our second “We Write the Book” artist residency program at the Canoga Park Branch Library on August 19, 2023.
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
In the spirit of getting organized for the new academic year, I taught participants ranging from small children to seniors how to create an accordion-fold book with pockets, add covers, then sew in “signatures” (gatherings of folded pages), to make their books super organizing tools, with places to store notes, make notes, and take notes!

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!
Children’s Librarian Luz and teen volunteer Scott supported participants while creating their own books!
Scott cuts lengths of beautiful striped and glittering paper cord for participants to use in sewing their signatures into the folds of their accordion structures.
Library volunteer Carmen and participant Laura move through the process.
Stellar participant Gina helps fellow student.
We were joined by an energetic family of five, helmed by this intrepid Mom!
Playing with color, textures, design and form are the nuts and bolts of the process. Participants made creative decisions and learned about themselves in the process, while gaining skills in folding, cutting, sewing and gluing.