Debra Disman

Artist

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Online Bookmaking Workshop

Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman

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JOIN US!

Debra Disman and Shoebox Arts Present:


FREE Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman!

Calling all artists! Join us for an exciting FREE online bookmaking workshop where you’ll learn to create beautiful, versatile books using the innovative “Folded Fan” structure

Workshop Details:

What: Making Books Together: The “Folded Fan” Bookmaking Structure

When: August 27th at 11am PST

Instructor Debra Disman
Host: Shoebox Arts

Format: Live online workshop via Zoom

Cost: Completely FREE for all artists

Registration: Sign up using our Google form (link below)

Zoom Access: Participants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover the joy of creating the “Folded Fan” bookmaking structure—Debra’s own innovative take on the traditional Flag Book form. This versatile and sculptural book requires no hole punching or sewing, making it perfect for artists of all skill levels.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Create the foundational folded and glued structure

  • Display your book in multiple creative ways

  • Transform the sculptural form into a familiar codex format

  • Explore various presentation methods and artistic possibilities 

Debra will also share examples from her own extensive body of work, showing how she has used this structure to create numerous compelling book pieces.

What You Need

The beauty of this workshop is its accessibility—you can literally create this structure using just 4 pieces of standard 8.5 x 11″ copier paper! However, for the best results, Debra recommends having these materials on hand:

Essential Tools

  • Scissors (or just use folding and tearing techniques!)

  • Glue stick

  • Pencil

  • Bone folder (optional—you can use your glue stick as a folding tool)

Recommended Materials

  • Accordion Spine: One 11 x 17″ tag board or cardstock sheet

  • Covers: Two 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces of railroad board or similar cardboard

  • Pages: Three 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces (or slightly smaller at 5.25″ for easier handling)

Choose your own colors and get creative with your material choices!

Optional Enhancement Materials

  • Scrap paper and easy-to-glue fabric

  • Washi tape, decorative tapes, stickers, ribbon

  • Ephemera: old letters, cards, ticket stubs, journal pages, and other meaningful materials

Why This Workshop?

The “Folded Fan” structure is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal entry point for new bookmakers while offering endless creative possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in creating artist books, journals, display pieces, or sculptural works, this foundational technique will open up new avenues for your artistic expression.

Ready to Join?

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Debra Disman and connect with fellow artists in our supportive online community. Spaces are limited, so register today!

Remember: You’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the workshop, so keep an eye on your inbox!

We can’t wait to see what beautiful books you’ll create. Happy making

Questions about the workshop? Feel free to reach out to Shoebox Arts for more information. shoeboxartsla@gmail.com

 

Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman

By


FREE Online Book Making Workshop: Learn the “Folded Fan” Structure with Debra Disman!

Calling all artists! Join us for an exciting FREE online bookmaking workshop where you’ll learn to create beautiful, versatile books using the innovative “Folded Fan” structure

Workshop Details:

What: Making Books Together: The “Folded Fan” Bookmaking Structure

When: August 27th at 11am PST

Instructor Debra Disman
Host: Shoebox Arts

Format: Live online workshop via Zoom

Cost: Completely FREE for all artists

Registration: Sign up using our Google form (link below)

Zoom Access: Participants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover the joy of creating the “Folded Fan” bookmaking structure—Debra’s own innovative take on the traditional Flag Book form. This versatile and sculptural book requires no hole punching or sewing, making it perfect for artists of all skill levels.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Create the foundational folded and glued structure

  • Display your book in multiple creative ways

  • Transform the sculptural form into a familiar codex format

  • Explore various presentation methods and artistic possibilities 

Debra will also share examples from her own extensive body of work, showing how she has used this structure to create numerous compelling book pieces.

What You Need

The beauty of this workshop is its accessibility—you can literally create this structure using just 4 pieces of standard 8.5 x 11″ copier paper! However, for the best results, Debra recommends having these materials on hand:

Essential Tools

  • Scissors (or just use folding and tearing techniques!)

  • Glue stick

  • Pencil

  • Bone folder (optional—you can use your glue stick as a folding tool)

Recommended Materials

  • Accordion Spine: One 11 x 17″ tag board or cardstock sheet

  • Covers: Two 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces of railroad board or similar cardboard

  • Pages: Three 8.5 x 5.5″ pieces (or slightly smaller at 5.25″ for easier handling)

Choose your own colors and get creative with your material choices!

Optional Enhancement Materials

  • Scrap paper and easy-to-glue fabric

  • Washi tape, decorative tapes, stickers, ribbon

  • Ephemera: old letters, cards, ticket stubs, journal pages, and other meaningful materials

Why This Workshop?

The “Folded Fan” structure is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal entry point for new bookmakers while offering endless creative possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in creating artist books, journals, display pieces, or sculptural works, this foundational technique will open up new avenues for your artistic expression.

Ready to Join?

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Debra Disman and connect with fellow artists in our supportive online community. Spaces are limited, so register today!

Remember: You’ll receive your Zoom link the day before the workshop, so keep an eye on your inbox!

We can’t wait to see what beautiful books you’ll create. Happy making

Questions about the workshop? Feel free to reach out to Shoebox Arts for more information. shoeboxartsla@gmail.com

 

Unfolding the Possibilities: Bookmaking with Self-Compassion 2

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I was honored to have led “Bookmaking with Self-Compassion” on
Saturday, May 15, 2021, a workshop which invited participants to:

“Make an artist book celebrating their own creative growth”.

This program was presented through 18th Street Art Center’s Arts Learning Lab, with support from the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health‘s campaign We Rise LA. WE RISE encourages wellbeing and healing through art, connection, community engagement and creative expression and takes/took place during May: Mental Health Awareness Month.  It is part of artist Sara Daleiden’s artist project  RECOVERY JUSTICE: BEING WELL. 

Participants discovered how to create the beautiful, fun and versatile Flower Fold book into which they could add wishes, hopes, prayers and dreams. This post celebrates our MATERIALS!

Participants received “art kits” containing origami papers, ribbon, railroad board, stickers, markers, and glue sticks.

The beautiful origami papers were folded into smaller shapes containing “hidden” folds…

then glued together to create a longer book that could be folded up into a square, unfolded into a sculptural shape,

or hung as a chain!

“Found” words and images were added to the “pages”, as well as stickers drawing, collage and more…

and a whole now expressive artwork was created!

Unfolding the Possibilities: Bookmaking with Self-Compassion 1

By

I was honored to have led “Bookmaking with Self-Compassion” on
Saturday, May 15, 2021, a workshop which invited participants to:

“Make an artist book celebrating their own creative growth”.

This program was presented through 18th Street Art Center’s Arts Learning Lab, with support from the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health‘s campaign We Rise LA. WE RISE encourages wellbeing and healing through art, connection, community engagement and creative expression and takes/took place during May: Mental Health Awareness Month.  It is part of artist Sara Daleiden’s artist project  RECOVERY JUSTICE: BEING WELL. 

Participants discovered how to create the beautiful, fun and versatile Flower Fold book into which they could add wishes, hopes, prayers and dreams.

These works could become a chain to hang in their homes,

give as a gift,

or remain  an individual document of self-expression

exploring what the pandemic has meant to  them,

while learning new skills and creating a unique expression of renewal and rebirth during the spring season.

Makers used origami Papers,  glue sticks, railroad board, cardstock, ribbon,  stickers and items
they found in their immediate environment to create their books.

The results were stunning…beautiful, expressive, evocative, and telling of the past year.

It is a joy to share these self-compassionate bookworks….

These works shall remain powerful and poignant

of a never to be forgotten experience, that lingers and informs our present moment.

Kudos to filmmaker and videographer Jeny Amaya for her stellar documentation.

Imagination, Experimentation and Play!

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Free your imagination, experiment, and….PLAY!

Join us for this art and bookmaking online workshop, source your own materials, and create your own exploratory masterpiece! Details in the flier below. 

Presented by The California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers, part of the national  Guild of Book Workers, this workshop is a point of departure for anyone at any skill level who has a desire to explore the world of book arts in a safe, supportive and fun online environment.

Please contact me through the site contact form with any questions.
Hope to see you there!!!!

 

Folded Fan Sculptural Artists’ Book: A Vehicle for Imagination, Experimentation, and Play

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The California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers presents:

A workshop led by Debra Disman
Saturday, June 5, 2021
1:00 – 4:00 pm, Pacific Time
Presented live via Zoom

The “Folded Fan Book,” Debra Disman’s personal name for this fun and versatile book structure, is comprised of
an accordion spine, two covers, and full size pages which “fan out” when the book is opened.
This structure can be treated as a traditional codex or built into a sculptural form limited only by the
ingenuity, creativity, and innovation of the maker.

Students will gather their own materials based on the supplies list provided and determine the size and content of their books,
inspired by examples of different ways this structure can be developed, reimagined, and used.

We will spend the first part of the workshop creating the basic structure, then take off into unexplored territory
where students can utilize their chosen materials to transform their books into personal explorations of their own histories
or potential futures. Will YOUR BOOK become a container of memory, visualization of an intention, a container of dreams, an excavated artifact?
Whatever participants choose to create, this book can become a vehicle for imagination, experimentation, and play.

Materials: Participants will supply and source tools and materials. The use of existing materials in your living/work space is encouraged.
A list of supplies will be sent one month before the workshop. The Zoom link will be sent the week of the workshop.

Skill Level: Open to all levels of experience

Registration: $50.00 USD for GBW members,
$60.00 USD for non-members.
Please register by May 15, 2021. The workshop will not be recorded.
There is a cancellation fee of 10% of the registration fee up to 30 days before the workshop. No refunds are given for
cancellations made within 30 days prior to the workshop. Registrations may not be shared and are non-transferable.

Please direct questions to
california@guildofbookworkers.org.

Debra Disman is a Los Angeles-based artist working
primarily in the form of the book, both as a solo
practitioner and in the public sphere of community
engagement. She creates work and projects which
push the boundaries of the book into new forms and
materials. Her work is shown in museums, galleries,
universities, and libraries across the U.S.
debradisman.com
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