Faith Ringgold
Surface Design Association Instagram “Take-over”!
The weekend of November 29-December 1 I had the pleasure, the honor and the fun of “taking over” (collaborating with) the Instagram account of the beloved Surface Design Association or “SDA”, as it is commonly known.
It was so much fun, rewarding and delightful to get responses from and connections to many artists and makers I was not yet aware of, and peruse their beautiful and innovative work.
Thank you SDA, for this lovely opportunity, and for All you do for All of us.
Here are some of my posts (sans videos):
(You can see the whole collaboration, as well as continually added works on the SDA Instagram as well as my own)
Hello and a happy holiday weekend to All. I have the privilege of collaborating with the @surface_design this weekend, an organization I am thrilled to be a part of. SDA offers community, connection, education and wonderful opportunities. I have had the pleasure of participating in several SDA exhibitions, and I am honored to be in the company of other SDA artist members showing around the country! Thank you SDA, for all you do for all of us.
“LA Foret I, II and III” Adding complexity with each piece, as a stand alone, and components of a whole. They are made from hundreds of pieces of cord, glued to a raw canvas surface, painted on the reverse, and hanging at a slight remove from the wall.
(a different image of this piece is on Instagram)
“KnoW Safe Place”, 2023, 60 x 48 x 48″, canvas, hemp/nylon/cotton cord, lace, netting, lace, ribbon, acrylic paint, wood, archival adhesive. Is there no safe place? Do we ever know safe space?
“The Body Politic: Like White on White”, 2024, 9x16x7
book board, hemp, canvas, hemp/assorted cord, trim, acrylic paint, archival pva
Three dimensions reaching into three dimensions.
A treasured part of my practice is sharing the wealth as a teaching artist across LA County. I teach bookmaking and more in libraries, schools, museums and other venues. I value these collaborations with others such as librarians, whose expertise I respect and learn from! Thank you to the @culture_la and others for the opportunities you afford teaching artists in all disciplines.
Studio shot from the back by André Smits
@artistintheworld713
Girrrrl powerFUL students from my “Making Art Inspired By Great Artists” class…creating their own textile hangings inspired by Faith Ringgold‘s extraordinary Story Quilts. Age range 1-5th grade, quite a range, and so talented.
It has been an honor to collaborate with the @surface_design over the past three days, and thank you, SDA for inviting me to do so. I leave you with “The Body Politic: Black and Gold“, 2024, 8.5 x 23 x 7”, made of book board, canvas, cord, netting, lace, trim, metallic leaf and beads. A book-inspired object that references the body as well as adornment and asks is what is precious; which can be presented in multiple states of open and closed; hints and glints at secrets, yet contains nothing on its pages except that which we project. Wishing all a healthy and peaceful holiday and strength for the New Year.
Faith Ringgold-Inspired “Story Quilts”
In what I am calling my “Girl Power” after-school artmaking class (“Making Art Inspired By Great Artists!), my group of seven power artmakers are hard at work creating textile creations based on the “Story Quilt” invention of the late inspirational artist Faith Ringgold, a Force of Nature known for her breakthrough textile textile artistic creations and civil rights activism.
Magnificent creations. So inspiring and moving, and such a great group. So supportive of each other, devoted to their creative and artistic expressions, and imaginative ideas and use of materials.
Brava!!!
“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!
“Women Artists Unfolding” at the West Valley Regional Library!
In honor of Women’s History Month the West Valley Regional Branch Library celebrates women artists with a bookmaking workshop led by our artist in residence Debra Disman!
Please join us to create your own handmade book, learn about artists Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama and add what you learn about them to your books! All materials will be provided.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
This event is part of my Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, supported by 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.
Women Artists Unfolding
EventBright
KTLA Community Caendar
Keeping the Faith…at the De Young Museum
Fantastic to see retrospective exhibition of the stunning artist Faith Ringgold, at the De Young Museum.