Debra Disman

Artist

Wide Open Reading

Sunland-Tujunga: Artist Residency Culmination Event!

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I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community. As part of this Residency, I conducted two workshops at Verdugo Hills High School, for Freshman VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Magnet) English students.

On February 15th, we held a Residency Culmination event at the Library, complete with bookmaking activities, refreshments, and an exhibition of hand-made books created by adults participating in the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group, and VAPA students.

We had a blast!


Three bookmaking projects were running in the Community Room.


Mother and Daughter work side by side.


A member of the Library’s “Wide Open Reading” group stands by her handmade book.


Patiently creating detail with tiny butterfly shapes.


Another Mom and Daughter team…artists working together.


Young adult artist proudly shares her creations.

Young artist from the VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) magnet at neighboring Verdugo Hills High School and her flag book created in a two workshop series held in her freshman VAPA English class. The books contrasted how students wanted to present themselves and how they felt they were perceived on the outside (exterior book covers) with how they feel on the inside- the flag pages).

It has been very moving to see makers create and share works which reveal them on various levels.

Gratitudes!

Wide Open Bookmaking

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I have been honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community.

It was great fun to lead a bookmaking workshop in early February for a group that meets at the Library called, “Wide Open Reading”. What a wonderful-sounding activity!

Participants came together to create single signature sewn books, with pockets created by an “inner cover” or casing, and glued on covers. A

A creative time was had by all!

Participants learned about signatures (a gathering of folded pages that comprise the text block of a traditional western style codex book structure),

and sewed signatures that had been prepared for them into an inner cover, with folded pockets.

They then had a blast using all kinds of materials to develop, embellish and adorn their inside and outside covers, and even a few pages!

Camaraderie and interaction among the group is a big part of the fun.

And, of course, pride in the final (or not so final) “product”.

Wide Open Reading deserves wide open bookmaking, and the makers certainly achieved this.

Bravo!

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

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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.