Debra Disman

Artist

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holiday gift giving

“WE Write the Book” Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency CULMINATION!

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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!

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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!