Debra Disman

Artist

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Folded Books

Bookmaking with Self-Compassion

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Recovery Justice: Being Well

“Being Well” is what we seek together as neighbors, and recalls one of the central guiding principles of the City of Santa Monica, the notion of “wellbeing” as key to civic health. Recovery Justice: Being Well, aims to highlight the recent circumstances that have evolved during the pandemic (racial justice demonstrations and destruction, as well as social discontent and general disconnection) into a series of self-organized artist projects that merges the exterior and interior public spaces of City of Santa Monica property. 18th Street Airport Campus at Santa Monica Municipal Airport will be the site where artists reimagine the city and beyond in the midst of complex social unrest globally. Recovery Justice will recuperate through various means the digital and physical footprints left in a city that struggles to reclaim the seemingly peaceful environment it once had. Artists will develop a palette for making and sharing artworks responding to the street experience in safe, healing and expressive modes. This porous series is a point of departure to reconcile and redefine the concept of justice. 

WE RISE PROJECTS: THIS MAY

For the We Rise series of projects related to Recovery Justice: Being Well, 18th Street Arts Center will produce a series of artist-led workshops and civic engagement projects addressing mental health for youth and for families in Spanish and English.

ARTS LEARNING LAB @ HOME: CREATIVE SELF-COMPASSION

This May, we are thrilled to present three new Arts Learning Lab @ Home art-making workshops for families all around wellbeing and self-compassion. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and taking time for creativity together with loved ones is a key part of self-care in these uncertain times. We are partnering with WE RISE LA (https://werise.la/) to bring these moments for creative growth to you, centered around the theme of wellbeing as we navigate coming out of a pandemic and transitioning to new routines together.

We will be providing ALL@HOME Art Kits with materials for each workshop that will be available for pick up from 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, for those that live in the LA Metro area, but all materials will also be easily found at home or at a local supply store. More information on Art Kit pick-up will be provided once you register for a workshop. Supplies are limited and are first come, first serve. All of the virtual workshops will be presented on Zoom, and interpretation will be provided in both English and Spanish.

May 15, 2021 at 11 AM- 12:30 PM [Virtual: Zoom] Bookmaking with Self-Compassion | Debra Disman

Debra Disman, Narrow Bridge, (inside) 2016, 5.5 x 16 x 3.5 inches, Artists' Book/Mixed Media (board, paper, fabric, linen thread).
Debra Disman, Narrow Bridge, (inside) 2016, 5.5 x 16 x 3.5 inches, Artists’ Book/Mixed Media (board, paper, fabric, linen thread).

Make an artist book celebrating your own creative growth!!!

Join 18th Street Arts Center artist in residence, Debra Disman and discover how to create the beautiful, fun and versatile Flower Fold book into which you can write or paste wishes, hopes, prayers and dreams, make into a chain to hang in your home, or give as a gift. Explore what the pandemic has meant to you while learning new skills and creating a unique expression of renewal and rebirth during the spring season.

ARTIST RESIDENCY CULMINATION EVENT: Poetry, Flag Books and More at the Panorama City Branch Library!

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Join us Thursday April 29th at 4:00PM for a very special program, as we culminate our Artist Residency at the Panorama City Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Artist in Residence Debra Disman will lead us in creating a “flag book” that you can personalize with poems written by yourself or your favorite writers.

In addition, Staff Librarians will share their favorite poems and poetry books, there will be  a slide presentation showing bookmaking projects completed during the 2020-21 Residency, and YOU will have the opportunity to share YOUR BOOK!

So, mark your calendars, and call 818.894.4071 and/or email the Library at [email protected] and make an appointment to pick up your special materials packet which contains extra art materials and Library goodies to enjoy!

See You There!!!

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 7

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As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other. Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!

In March 2021, I led an scroll making program in honor of Women’s History Month focused on Celebrating Women Artists, at the Panorama City Branch Library,  part of my artist residency in bookmaking there, through the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.


We looked at images and information about three great women artists, Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, and Branch Manager Roman shared some of Faith Ringgold‘s books from the Library!


Participants were invited to cut out the provided  images of the artists, their work, and the information about them, and add them to sheets of brightly colored tag board paper, which they had attached to wooden sticks, or dowels at either end, to create unique scrolls.

Each maker created a different composition with the materials provided in our fun and informative supplies packets.


One young maker added painting to the surface, then his father added images honoring women artists to complete the scroll!


Scrolls could be horizontal or vertical, and rolled up at either end and then unfurled.


Ribbon was provided for participants to keep their rolled scrolls in place if they wished to.
Here Panorama City Branch Library Branch Manager Roman gets into the act!

An honoring of Women’s History Month, Women Artists, specific women artists, the Library, and especially, of human creativity, imagination and ingenuity!
SO needed, especially during this past year and into the current one.

Gratitudes!

ARTIST RESIDENCY CULMINATION EVENT: Poetry, Flag Books and More at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!

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Join us Tuesday April 20th at 4:00PM for a very special program, as we culminate our Artist Residency at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Artist in Residence Debra Disman will lead us in creating a “flag book” that you can personalize with poems written by yourself or your favorite writers.

In addition, Staff Librarians will share their favorite poems and poetry books, there will be  a slide presentation showing bookmaking projects completed during the 2020-21 Residency, and YOU will have the opportunity to share YOUR BOOK!

So, mark your calendars, and email the Library at [email protected] and make an appointment to pick up your special materials packet which contains extra art materials and Library goodies to enjoy!

Program log-in information, will be sent once supplies are picked up.
If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected] with “Poetry” in the subject line.

 

SEE YOU THERE!!!

 

 

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 6

By

As everyone keeps saying, 2020 was a year like no other. Well, no-one had seen 2021 yet.

2021 it seems, may also prove to be a year like no other, finding us teaching online, in my case through Zoom, engaging in what is called, “distance learning”. Well, you can’t beat the commute and clean-up time, and I found there are indeed ways to connect significantly with students and colleagues, and even teach some things!

In February 2021, I led an accordion book with pockets program at the Panorama City Branch Library,  part of my artist residency in bookmaking there, through the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Using bright tag board and richly patterned origami papers,


participants learned the accordion/consertina fold,


how to create pockets in their books,


how to cover and embellish their covers,


and how to add hopes and wishes to their pockets!


Whole families, as well as Library staff, got into the act.


Pure Joy.

Gratitudes!

 

Celebrate Womens’ History Month at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!

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Join us online as the West Valley Regional Branch Library celebrates Women’s History Month!
Our Artist in Residence, Debra Disman, will lead us in creating a “folded fan” book where you can add images and
information about these women artists:

Frida Kahlo   Faith Ringgold   Georgia O’Keefe

Program log-in information  will be sent once supplies are picked up.
If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected] with Women’s History in the subject line.

This is an online program. Supply packets are limited and required for participation in the program.
There is a limit of 2 packets per household. To request yours call 818-345-9806. Supplies will be distributed in order of request.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.