Debra Disman

Artist

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Self Care

EXHIBITIONISTA: “CARE” at Hera Gallery

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Hera Gallery proudly presents CARE, a national juried exhibition exploring the concept of care through the eyes of artists from around the country.

Works selected by Priya N. Green, Artist, Painting Faculty, Director of CCSU Chen Art Gallery

May 10th – June 14th, 2025

Opening Reception Saturday, May 10th, 6-8pm

Mix & Mingle: Arts & Health Thursday May 22nd, 6 -7:30pm

Virtual Artist Talk Thursday, May 29th, 7pm via Zoom

When you hear or read the word CARE…
Do you hear a noun, a verb, an imperative? Do you feel comforted, overwhelmed, or inspired by the sound and meaning of the word Care? 

Hera Gallery is interested in how we as artists and as society relate to the concept of care at this moment in time. 

From taking care and giving care to self-care, and the call to care –  the idea of care runs through all our lives from beginning to end. Human care, animal care, environmental care, or caring for an idea, a faith, a passion, a commitment. Care is associated with cultural connections, age, and gender. How is this shifting? How do we find balance when engaged in caregiving at all levels?

Artists respond to the question:
How does the word Care resonate with you, which images, stories, sentiments does it bring forth in you? Which role does care play in your life as an artist and in your artistic practice?

I am thrilled to share my triptych “RENT WOUND TEAR MEND HEAL REPAIR” 64 x 68 x .5″ (dimnesions variable), canvas, paint, hemp cord, string, lace, in this timely show

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.