Craft
The Material Intelligence of Touch
I was delighted to participate in:

At the Marks Center, College of the Desert.
The exhibit a project of Textile Arts LA, and curated by Carrie Burckle, brings together artists from Textile Arts LA whose work centers the hand as both method and metaphor. Inspired by artist Ann Hamilton’s concept of the “sewing hand”—the idea that making by hand is a way of knowing—we explore how tactile engagement with material connects body to mind, individual to community, and past to present.

Please VIEW THE WORKS IN THE SHOW HERE
I am delighted to participate with two works included [positioned side by side!
“La Forêt I” , 2024, 62 x 17 x 1”, canvas, acrylic paint, hemp/jute/cotton cord
and
“Communion“, 2025, 10.5 x 21.5 x 8.5” (dimensions variable), wood, hemp/assorted cord, acrylic paint




Many thanks again to friend and colleague and fellow artist
Deborah Lynn Irmas
for visiting and photographing the show sand my work in it, when I could not make it out to Palm Desert to see it live and in person!
EXHIBITIONISTA: Handwork, The Material Intelligence of Touch
As part of
presented by Craft in America,
Textile Arts LA presents:
Handwork, The Material Intelligence of Touch!

At the Marks Center, College of the Desert.
The exhibit brings together artists from Textile Arts LA whose work centers the hand as both method and metaphor. Inspired by artist Ann Hamilton’s concept of the “sewing hand”—the idea that making by hand is a way of knowing—we explore how tactile engagement with material connects body to mind, individual to community, and past to present.
I am delighted to participate with two works included:

“Communion“, 2025, 10.5 x 21.5 x 8.5” (dimensions variable), wood, hemp/assorted cord, acrylic paint

“La Forêt I“, 2024, 62 x 17 x 1”, canvas, acrylic paint, hemp/jute/cotton cord
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!
Create a STORYBOOK THEATER at Craft Contemporary
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Held in conjunction with the exhibition:
Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman




