Debra Disman

Artist

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Origami Paper

“We Write The Book” Flower Fold Bookmaking Workshop at the Northridge Library!

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I was thrilled to lead an “Flower Fold” bookmaking workshop at the Northridge Branch Library in honor of National Poetry Month and upcoming EARTH DAY!

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.

They added front and back covers and developed their books through addition of images, text, print media, drawing, writing, decorative papers, stickers, paper lace, fabric and wall paper frsagments and scraps, trims, “jewels’, finally learning how to add a ribbon to keep the book closed!  A wonderfully creative time was had by all.


Participant Lenny, father of two, at our program with his wife and children,
shares his experience of the bookmaking program:
“My brain is tingling right now…”


Dina learned about our workshop when she visited the Library that day,
and created a jewelled tie for her book!

 

Proud participant shares her book created at a previous workshop

I am thrilled to work  with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR).  I am honored to be serving the City of Los Angeles again through the DCA.
Join us for this and other bookmaking workshops! JOIN US!

Flower-fold Bookmaking Honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the West Valley Regional Branch Library!

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I was thrilled to lead a bookmaking workshop, (called a “program” in Library parlance!) on May 11, 2023,  celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (of May) with a “Flower-Fold” Bookmaking program using origami paper and folding techniques.

Participants of a range of ages learned to make the flower fold structure, then linked together several “flowers” into chains, added covers and ribbons. Some participants went on to develop their books with assorted materials including decorative papers, stickers and magazines.

The results were beautiful, and filled participants with pride as they navigated the trickier aspects of the process.

 

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.

ZOOM In On Distance Learning 6

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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 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!