Craig Paul Nowak

BIOGRAPHY

I'm a husband, father, and an artist. I paint, sculpt, draw, and write, amongst other things. I'm a curator. I manage an arts program for people with disabilities, and I've spent nearly 42 years stumbling through space/time.

It all started in 1983, when I was born into a working class family. My parents were factory workers, and I was socially awkward, which led me to take refuge in art. I carried a sketchbook with me at all times.

My peers repeatedly voted me "Most Artistic," year-after-year. That continued through high school until I was awarded The Outstanding Artist Award upon graduation, and again in 2014, when Real Detroit Weekly readership voted me Best Local Artist in Detroit.

In 2006, I earned my BFA from The College for Creative Studies. I moved to Chicago, then New Mexico, and eventually stayed in Milan, Italy for a spell before returning to Detroit and getting married.

Eventually, I began giving back. In 2017, I became a teacher. In 2018, I began working for Community Arts Partnership. In 2019, I was hired by Kadima where I helped start the Creative Expressions Program, and I've been doing that ever since.

Later in 2024, my work in academia and human services earned me the Nancy Comodourous Distinguished Service to The Arts Award. I currently serve on the Farmington/Farmington Hills Arts Commission. And after all that time, I'm still making art.

Enjoying ARTPRIZE in Front of My Painting Collaboration (with Manal Kadry and HFA Students), Dream World

Enjoying ARTPRIZE in Front of My Painting Collaboration (with Manal Kadry and HFA Students), Dream World