54 | OCTOBER 17 • 2024 

C

raig Paul Nowak is the 
2024 recipient of the Nancy 
Coumoundouros Distinguished 
Service to the Arts Award bestowed at the 
Farmington Area Arts Awards on Sept. 28.
Nowak is the program manager at the 
Creative Expressions Program at Gesher 
Human Services. The program serves 
people with mental health challenges and 
intellectual and developmental disabilities 
by providing a space for creative expres-
sion and growth.
“
As an artist myself, I understand that 
the arts are more than just enrichment,
” 
Nowak said. “They’re not merely paint-
ing or singing or writing or acting for 
enjoyment, but that’s part of what makes 
them so impactful. We enjoy them, and 
they often act as a doorway to profound 
personal purpose and supportive com-
munities in ways that other pursuits often 
aren’t.
” 
Nowak breaks barriers and creates 
opportunities for Creative Expressions 
artists and finds deep purpose in his pro-
fessional calling. “So, what’s significant 
about my job is that I’m able to connect 
creative people who are faced with barri-
ers to experts and opportunities that help 

to topple those barriers,
” he said. 
Gesher President & CEO Paul Blatt 
said, “Craig brings his whole heart to 
everything he does. He helps our mem-
bers express themselves in amazing ways 
through all forms of art.
”
Reflecting on the honor of being rec-
ognized, Nowak said, “I don’t tend to 
go through life seeking recognition, and 
when it arrives, I can’t help but feel hum-
bled and grateful.
”
He added, “It means the world to me to 
be recognized for the work I do, because 
when I’m working, I’m only thinking 
about the benefits that each person who 
participates in the Creative Expressions 
Program can receive. 
“Receiving the Nancy Coumoundouros 
Distinguished Service to the Arts Award 
shows that what I’m doing is working and 
that we’re getting results. It means that 
the community is benefiting from my 
efforts at Gesher Human Services, and 
what more could I ask for? Thank you to 
everyone who had anything to do with 
this decision.
” 

Learn more about Creative Expressions at 

shopcreativeexpressions.com.

Craig Paul Nowak 
stands before 
his self-portrait 
at the 2024 
Farmington Area 
Arts Awards.

YEVGENIYA GAZMAN

Gesher program manager honored 
for work with people with mental and 
intellectual disabilities.

Award Winner

YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ARTS&LIFE
ART

Tuesday, November 12 and 
Wednesday, November 13

8:3Oam–4:3Opm

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To register visit jlive.app/events/6942

 Join us for a FREE two-day interactive ASIST training 
and learn the skills to help save a life.

MYTH: Suicide doesn’t happen in our community.

FACT: Anyone can have thoughts of suicide under the 
right circumstances.

MYTH: You need to be a mental health 
professional in order to help someone thinking of suicide. 

FACT: Anyone can be trained to help with a simple 
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is a huge commitment.
FACT: Most active suicidal ideation lasts only about 1O-2O 
minutes. Intervening briefly can make a 
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Suicide Awareness: 
Suicide Awareness: 

Separating Fact from Fiction
Separating Fact from Fiction

Questions? Contact Mayim Meyers at 248.592.2694 or mmeyers@jfsdetroit.org

