Debra Disman

Artist

  •

Handmade Books

“We Write the Book” Artist Residency: Goodbye and Hello

By

It is bittersweet to complete my third year as Artist-in-Residence for the West Valley Regional Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!
Our “We Write the Book” series offered hands-on bookmaking workshops and culmination event for over 171 intergenerational  participants from a variety of backgrounds from July of 2022 through June of 2023.

View a slideshow video of our projects here!

Video Player

See what participants have to say here!

I am thrilled to begin a new year-long residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library July 18th, 2023!  Our new “We Write the Book” program will run through June 2023, and offer hands-on bookmaking workshops on a monthly basis to the public.

Our next workshop will be August 19th at noon.

So, goodbye to West Valley, and hello to Canoga Park. We invite You to Join us for fun, learning, community, creativity and self-expression!

 

Artist Residency Culminating Event at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!

By


Celebrating our year long  “We Write the Book” artist residency at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, supported by The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!

Enjoy the ride. We did!

       

Video Player

Kicking off our Artist Residency “We Write The Book” at the Canoga Park Library!

By

JOIN US JULY 198th at 2PM!!!
Kicking off our Artist Residency “We Write The Book” at the Canoga Park Library!

West Valley Regional Branch Library Bookmaking Residency CULMINATION Event!!!!!

By

Welcome to the culmination of our “We Write The Book” artist residency in bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library, supported by The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

We hope you enjoy seeing this overview of our bookmaking program workshops and Culmination Event for our 2022-2023 Residency!

“WE WRITE THE BOOK”

Artist Residency at the
West Valley Regional Branch Library
Debra Disman – Artist in Residence
Supported by
The City of Los Angeles  Department of Cultural Affairs

 

Video Player

This offering was part of my Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Residency was comprised of a series of bookmaking workshops presented at the Library, planned in close coordination with Library Staff.

The Big Read in LA 2023 at Craft Contemporary!

By

In conjunction with this year’s NEA Big Read: Los Angeles, Craft Contemporary dedicated a very special Family Craft Lab workshop to celebrating the art of bookmaking in  Using gluing and folding techniques participants created their own flag books, a unique and sculptural book with moving parts. Inspired by this years Big Read novel, Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu, attendees developed each flag “page” with symbols, words, patterns and images to tell a story about their identity and culture. Craft Lab is for all ages, everyone is welcome!


Fearless leader BILLIE RAE VINSON, Director of School and Family Programs, planned and promoted the program, and matched her clothes to our materials, and PRIDE Month!


She and her devoted volunteers prepared the materials for our flag book project.


I brought in my own flag book samples for inspiration.




There was something for everyone on the table,


including samples of “Interior Chinatown” and the graphic novel “American Born Chinese” , a tour-de-force by New York Times bestselling graphic novelist Gene Yang,


in specialized Big Read tote bags!


The wonderful Craft Contemporary volunteers were able to exert their maker energy along with the participants.


Families, individuals, old friends and new joined together to create, and


Love…Life.

Rainbow Butterfly Bookmaking at the West Valley Regional Branch Library Honors Pride Month!

By

I was thrilled to lead a bookmaking workshop, (called a “program” in Library parlance!) on June 8, 2023,  celebrating PRIDE Month ( June) with a “RAINBOW BUTTERFLY” Bookmaking program, where participant learned how to fold an accordion spine, attach butterfly wing pages in rainbow colors. A colorful, glorious time was had by all!


This offering was part of my Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through 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.