For disability-related accommodations, please call (213) 228-7430 at least five business days prior to the event.
Community Artmaking
“We Write the Book” Returns to the Northridge Library!
I am thrilled to return to the Northridge Branch Library for a third season of bookmaking supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!
JOIN US!!!!!
We Write the Book: Craft Program for All Ages
Monthly on the fourth Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm
Saturday July 25, 2026 – Saturday, Jun 26 2027
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
KICK-OFF: Saturday July 25, 2026
About the Program:
Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman is back at the Northridge Branch for the year 2026-2027, beginning a series of monthly bookmaking programs in July, where you will learn to make a different book each session! No experience is required and there will be new projects and things to learn for those who have attended her workshops before. All are welcome and you can attend as many sessions as you want! All materials are provided. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
All the workshops are free including materials and for ALL AGES and ABILITIES!
We Write the Book: Craft Program for All Ages | Los Angeles Public Library
Time: Saturdays at 11:00- 12:30 p.m. (Most are the last Saturday of the month excepting October, November and December 2026)
1. Saturday, July 25th, 2026 (Kick-off!)
2. Saturday, August 29, 2026
3. Saturday, September 26, 2026
4. Saturday, October 10, 2026
5. Saturday, November 21, 2026
6. Saturday, December 19, 2026
7. Saturday, January 23, 2027
8. Saturday, February 27, 2027
9. Saturday, March 27, 2027
10.Saturday, April 24, 2027
11.Saturday, May 22, 2027
12.Culmination: Saturday, June 26, 2027 (sharing of books through display and readings, short making workshop!)
8. Saturday, February 27, 2027
9. Saturday, March 27, 2027
10.Saturday, April 24, 2027
11.Saturday, May 22, 2027
12.Culmination: Saturday, June 26, 2027 (sharing of books through display and readings, short making workshop!)
This program is made possible by a grant from the City of Los Department of Cultural Affairs.
Northridge
“We Write the Book” Returns to the Northridge Library!
We Write the Book: Craft Program for All Ages
Monthly on the fourth Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm
Saturday July 25, 2026 – Saturday, Jun 26 2027
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
KICK-OFF: Saturday July 25, 2026
About the Program:
Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman is back at the Northridge Branch for the year 2026-2027, beginning a series of monthly bookmaking programs in July, where you will learn to make a different book each session! No experience is required and there will be new projects and things to learn for those who have attended her workshops before. All are welcome and you can attend as many sessions as you want! All materials are provided. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
This program is made possible by a grant from the City of Los Department of Cultural Affairs.
For disability-related accommodations, please call (213) 228-7430 at least five business days prior to the event.
Northridge
We made a “Storybook Theatre” at Craft Contemporary!
On January 11, 2026, I had the great pleasure of leading a “Storybook Theater” bookmaking workshop at the Craft Contemporary Museum for their all ages Craft Lab, entitled, “Make a Storybook Theater with Debra Disman“!
Participants were encouraged to:
“Become the author of your own story and create a one-of-a-kind storybook theater book. Combine stories, books and theater with a dramatic flair using a variety of recycled paper materials.”
So. Much. Fun!
A vibrant group gathers.
The dynamic Dr. KATE ZANKOWICZ, Ph.D., Craft Contemporary’s Director of Education, introduces the program, and encourages participants.
Focus and concentration.
Cutting without a template, freehand…to create the year of the horse (hello) and the snake (bye bye).
Book within book, to explore a theme.
Care and communication, sharing ideas.
Even the stairs were used as a work surface, by choice!
Mothers and daughters,
Partners and friends, worked together.
Hollywood was an inspiration,
As well as Zebras!
Such a beautiful group creating beautiful, thought-provoking and whimsical works.
HERE are the Step-by-step HOW-TO instructions to create the STORYBOOK THEATER:
StorybookTheaterProgram_FINAL_PowerPoint
ENJOY!
“WE Write the Book” Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency CULMINATION!
I was thrilled to serve again as a 2025-26 “NEAR” Artist in Residence at the Northridge Branch Library!
On December 20, 2025, after 11 onsite bookmaking workshops with the community at the Library, we held our Residency CULMINATION Event!
Below are videos and images of the event. Families, seniors, students and staff graced us with their presence!
View the splendid books participants created through the Residency!
Hear the participants words as they share their books!
Participants shared the books they had made, supported and celebrated each other, and reveled in project materials to create small, sewn, travel books to send them into 2026 and Beyond!
Artists and devoted workshop attendees Amy and Cathie share their BookWorks!
This young bookmaker loves cars, and his book/s reveal his knowledge of them!
His sister created books about endangered animals and how to help them; flowers; and a cookbook of favorite recipes!
Moms and sons create books!
A a beautiful, learning-filled and fun time was had by all.
Here’s to a healthy and creative 2026!
“WE Write the Book”: Making Flower Fold Gift Books-in-a-Box at the Northridge Branch Library!
I am thrilled to serve again as a 2025-26 “NEAR” Artist in Residence at the Northridge Branch Library!
It was a joy to teach the “flower fold” book structure that participants could place in small boxes they embellished, and offer to to others or to themselves for the holidays!
Makers had access to beautiful origami papers direct from Japan!
Participants including family groups, seniors and others learned how to make the flower fold book structure using a myriad of beautiful origami papers, and then how to attach multiple flower folds together to create a longer book that folds up into a square.
Needless to say, magnificent works were created!
Makers’ Hands!
Making use of materials in a different way!
This Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) is supported by the wonderful City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
JOIN US for MORE BOOKMKAING FUN and LEARNING!
All programs free and open to the Public, All materials provided!
Join us for our next workshop on December 10, 2025!
And for our CULMINATION Event on December 20th!
