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Debra Disman

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Single Signature Books

“We Write The Book” Two-in-One Bookmaking Workshop at the Northridge Library!

April 23, 2025 By Debra Disman

Join us at the Northridge Branch Library as we learn to create fun and fantastic “Two-in-one books”, also called, “Dos-à-dos binding” in honor of Springtime and Storymaking!

Wednesday May 14 –  3:30PM – 5:00PM

FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC!    All materials included!

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.


I am an artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May, 2025, on selected Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30PM
Please note date change, May 21st Saturday program is now May 14th!
Same time and place! 11:00AM – 12:30PM at the Northridege Branch Library!

Tagged With: art-making workshops for families, Artist Residency, Book, Book as Art, Book Structures, BOOKBINDING, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, Community, Community Artmaking, COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING, DCA LA, DCA-funded artist residency, Dos-à-dos binding, double book, double books, Families Making Books, Family Bookmaking, Gathering of folded pages, Handmade Books, Intergenerational Arts workshops, LAPL, Librarians, Los Angeles Public Library, Making Books Together, mixed media books, NEAR Residency, Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency, Northridge, Northridge Branch Library, Sewn Books, sewn signatures, SIGNATURE, Single Signature Books, Storymaking, The Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, two in one books, two-in-one bookmaking

We Invited the Community to “Make Your Own Journal” at the Panorama City Branch Library, And They Did!

September 28, 2021 By Debra Disman

Through my Artist Residency with the Los Angles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence   I had the opportunity to offer a program/workshop via the Panorama Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library in which participants created  “single signature” bound books they could use for writing, drawing, note-keeping, poetry, homework, lists, photographs, recipes and more!


People of all ages were welcomed into the program, creating books that reflected their interests, their needs, and their feelings.

Some books were focused on theme and utility, others on design, color, texture and shapes.
All expressed the makers and served as a form of sharing with the group as well.

We look forward to more!

All workshops, programs, classes and events will be listed HERE!

Stay tuned, and join us!

Filed Under: Artist in Residence, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: AIR Program, All purpose book!, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Bookmaking online, Books made by Hand, Branch Libraries, Handmade Books, Handmade Journal, Journal, Journal-making, LA Department of Cultural Affairs, LAPL, Library Programs, Los Angeles Public Library System, Make Your Own Journal, Online Art programs, Online Bookmaking Programs, Online Library Programs, Panorama City Branch Library, Sewn Books, SINGLE SIGNATURE, Single Signature Books

“Make Your Own Journal” at the Panorama City Branch Library!

August 3, 2021 By Debra Disman

Join us and start the school year of by learning how to make your very own handbound journal!

Los Angles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence Debra Disman will lead you in creating  a “single signature” bound book that you can use for writing, drawing, note-keeping, poetry, homework, lists, photographs, recipes and more!

Materials packets available.
Please contact the Panorama City Branch Library for details, and how to pick up your materials!

Tagged With: Accordion Fold Book, AIR Program, All purpose book!, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Bookmaking online, Books made by Hand, Branch Libraries, Handmade Books, Journal, LA Department of Cultural Affairs, LAPL, Library Programs, Los Angeles Public Library System, Make Your Own Journal, Online Art programs, Online Bookmaking Programs, Online Library Programs, Panorama City Branch Library, Sewn Books, SINGLE SIGNATURE, Single Signature Books

Making Journals at the Granada Hills Branch Library

March 21, 2020 By Debra Disman

 

It was a pleasure to lead a “journal-making” workshop/program at the Granada Hills Branch Library as part of my Artist Residency there, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Who knew creating a journal, traditionally a place to record daily thoughts, ideas, activities, fears, concerns, dreams and wishes would be so salient?


Families joined together to learn how to fold a “signature” (gathering of folded pages),


glue cover and spine boards to white-prepped canvas to create the book structure and “house” the pages,


then sew the signature  into the book through the spine using durable, earthy  hemp cord.


Having exerted this labor to create their book structure,  participants had the glorious pleasure of developing and embellishing their journals with decorative papers, washi tape, markers, beads, and other collage materials. The canvas book covering, functioning as a book cloth is a wonderful surface for painting, stamping, printmaking, stenciling and any other wet or dry media.

May journaling help all and any through this very difficult time we are in.
Journal on!

Filed Under: Artist in Residence, ARTISTS, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: AIR, ARTIST BOOKS, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence Program, Community, Community Arts, Community Arts programs, DCA, DCA AIR, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, FAMILY ARTMAKING, Family Bookmaking, Granada Hills Public Library, Handmade Books, Handmade sewn books, HEMP CORD, Journal, Journal-making, journaling, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles Public Library, Public Library, SEWN BOOK BINDINGS, Sewn pages, SIGNATURE, SINGLE SIGNATURE, Single Signature Binding, SINGLE SIGNATURE BOOK, Single Signature Books, STEAM, Washi Tape

Make Your Own Book at the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library!

January 8, 2020 By Debra Disman

Join us and the Wide Open Reading group at the Sunland-Tujunga Library and learn to bind together your own book you can use as a journal, sketchbook, diary, dream catcher or idea book!

Learn what signatures are in bookbinding, and how they become book pages.
Create your book, then design, embellish, decorate and personalize your cover for inspiration

All materials provided.
All ages welcome. Bring the family and create together!

This program is part of my Artist Residency at the Sunland-Tujunga Public Library and is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department Cultural Affairs.

Tagged With: ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, ARTIST'S BOOKS, Arts and Crafts, Bookmaking, Bookmaking at the Public Library, Books made by Hand, Books with Pockets, Community Artmaking, Community Arts, DCA, Handmade Books, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles Public Library, ONE-OF-A-KIND HANDMADE BOOKS, Paper Arts, Public Library Arts and Crafts, SIGNATURE, SINGLE SIGNATURE, Single Signature Binding, Single Signature Books, SUNLAND-TUJUNGA BRANCH LIBRARY, Teaching Artist, Wide Open Reading, Winter Reading Challenge

All that Glitters….

December 12, 2019 By Debra Disman

As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs,  I led a “gift bookmaking” program for the community.

As we found out, all that glitters may not be gold, but shiny stuff can be really fun to work with and inspire us to add a jewel-like quality to our handmade books.

Adults and children and teens/tweens alike enjoyed cutting out shapes from shiny, glittery adhesive-backed sheets!

The primary colors of red, yellow and blue never get old, especially when there is a glittery twist!

A very talented young maker created a “jewel”-studded book!

And he is a radiant Jewel himself…look at that 1000 watt smile!

A young reader tried  his hand a t bookmaking, cheered on my his Mom.

 

Here are his younger brother’s very seasonal works.

The fruits of their labor.

 

Participants made their way through the inevitable tangle of colorful ribbon to choose and use pieces to enhance their works.

Ribbon of wonders, just like the participants and their bookish creations!

 

Filed Under: Artists' Books, BOOKS, Student Work, Teaching Artist Tagged With: AIR, ARTIST BOOKS, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, Artist Residency The Granada Hills Library, Arts programs for Children, Bookmaking, Books made by Hand, Cartoons, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence Program, Community, Community Arts, Community Arts programs, DCA, DCA AIR, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, Families, FAMILY ARTMAKING, Family Bookmaking, flag bookmaking program, Folded and glued Books, Folded Books, Gift Book, Glittery materials, Granada Hills Public Library, Handmade Books, Handmade sewn books, Holiday bookmaking, Holidays, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Manga Art, Public Library, Ribbon, Sewn Books, Shiny materials, Single Signature Books

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