CRAFTING HISTORIES
Bookmaking Online Workshop
DEBRA DISMAN
Instructor
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. As a maker and teaching artist she creates work and projects which push the boundaries of the book into new forms and materials.
It has been my great joy to teach the AROHA Bookmaking classes for Seniors through Craft Contemporary. I have been so moved to hear and see our participants' stories expressed through their book projects, and to witness their extraordinary creativity with materials, expression and craft. The opportunity for these students to come together, share about their lives, and weave their personal histories into their projects has been so meaningful, not only for the students, but for myself and the Craft Contemporary Staff. I have been continually amazed at the richness and depth of our participants' life experiences and their hunger to share them with others.
The Art of the Book: Crafting Our Stories By Hand is an online workshop series specifically designed by Craft Contemporary and artist Debra Disman for adults over the age of 55. This program is made possible by funding from Aroha Philanthropies and is part of a nationwide campaign to bring thoughtful and specialized programs to a valuable population that is often undeserved by arts institutions.
Workshop participants were introduced to ideas of storytelling through materials and the handmade. They were encouraged to tell their own stories using paper and everyday materials, while exploring what the term book means, why books are important, and how they have functioned through time and culture.
Mitch Chen
This book means to me : the art of bookmaking-
READ- book. books, more books.....how appropriate.
This class means to me : it bring out my design & creativity to new territory, as well as " think" out of the box, thank you for inspiration.
María Dolores Bolívar
I feel lucky to have been a part of this Book Art adventure. If there ever was a time to tap on the therapeutic and motivating qualities of books, 2020 was it! Making books by hand is inseparable of story telling, as it connects us with others - peers, readers, ancestors-. While the linearity of Western books takes the space of our known platform, I was particularly attracted to codices and structures that work more like maps and conversation triggers! I thank Aroha and Craft Contemporary for creating this space for growth and meaningful conversation. I want to forever stay in touch with all my class mates. I know Andrés Payán Estrada mentioned his commitment in forming this group, so I feel I want to praise his ability to bring us all together.
Jimmie Carole Fife
I am grateful to have been selected to participate in the bookmaking class. My experience has been an entirely new avenue of creativity. With our great teachers, I have learned so many new techniques, including the accordion fold, flag book, and the stitches for pamphlets. I appreciate the unique viewpoints, creativity, and the way the class expresses individual identity.
Penina S Finger
I signed up for the class because I love everything about 'the book', and also enjoy creative journeys with other senior adults. I learned so much, both from the instructor and from my incredibly unique, thoughtful, and insatiably curious classmates. Remote learning has many challenges, but when it comes to ACCESS it is unmatched.
Odilia Galvan Rodriguez
Odilia created a book decorated with flowers and beads which will be gifted to a young female musician named Hunny Tinted who worked with her son Hawk Beatz. Hawk was a music producer in the Bay Area and worked closely with this artist. This book also includes a handwriten card by Hunny, a sticker from a single produced collaboratively by Hunny and Hawk and other materials that cary sentiment and meaning. The word "ori" loosely translated means head and is related to the destiny we chose before coming here, in the Yoruba language. The V = 5 a sacred number.
Clara Levy
I loooooved this class. After forty years I wrote poetry again and painted with watercolors for the first time in my life! Debra was always encouraging and everyone was very kind and supportive.
June Nye
For all of my life books have been important to me. I love them!; as a child being read to , as a young mom reading to my babies, and now as a way to learn, dream and travel. This class has been a godsend in these times of isolation. I‘ve learned so much and hope to use these skills making journals for Christmas gifts. Thank you very, very much!
Cynthia Simmons
Community means so much and in this pandemic world there is so little time to be together. I am grateful to use my hands, writings, art and a few of my husband's beautiful black and white photographs to make books. Thank you for the invitation, through the offering of this class, to bring new life to the concept and real art of being in community.
Kathie Swanson
What a wonderful and fun way to spend the hottest months of The Summer of 2020! It never occurred to me that I could assemble a book of my own making at least not one that had a 3 ring binder attached! This has been such a creative class and fun class and now, a new art form for me to play with! Thank you for keeping my brain engaged on so many new levels!
Anita Willis
Books, and my love of reading has helped shape my view of the world and opened my mind. I love creating and making beautiful things. This class has helped me to act on my desire to create books and has shown me that there are so many ways to pursue bookmaking. I have really enjoyed the class, learning from my teacher and classmates!
