Kadima Creative Expressions helps people

Arts&Life

on the cover

Positive Power of Art The

Kadima Creative Expressions helps people improve their mental health.

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER F or years, Joel has between people,” dreamed of creating a says Eric Adelman, graphic novel from the executive director Star Trek-inspired art project of Kadima, which he began as a teen. Today, provides a variety thanks to Kadima’s Creative of residential, therExpressions program, he is on Eric Adelman apeutic and social the way to bringing his longservices to people time dream to fruition. with mental health challenges.

“It takes place in the 47th cen“These people have experienced tury; there’s some very far out a lot of closed doors; they havand complex stuff,” he said. en’t had a lot of opportunities to

Beyond publishing a book, engage in the arts.” his aspirations include a video Barbara Kratchman, whose game, a movie and a pilot for a long career in the arts and cultelevision series. tural community includes serving as director of the Michigan HARNESSING THE Council for the Arts, was instruPOWER OF ART mental in developing the proThe Creative Expressions program began in 2016, as Kadima leadership realized the arts can have a positive impact on people coping with various mental health issues.

“Studies show the important power of the arts for improving mental health and creating community and positive connections gram. Kratchman, who is married to past Kadima president Michael Kratchman, helped develop partnerships with local arts organizations such as the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and the College for Creative Studies (CCS).

“The benefits to our mem

TOP: Finishing touches are added to a collaborative mural painting directed by Joel Kaufman. ABOVE: Eastern Market was the backdrop for a Kadima photography class.

bers have been palpable. People have embraced this program beyond what I’ve ever dreamed,” said Kratchman, who serves as chairperson of the Creative Expressions Council. “It’s brought people out of themselves and taught them they could do things they never imagined they could.”

The program has flourished under the direction of program coordinator Craig Nowak, a professional artist and CCS instructor who became acquainted with Kadima when he taught a plein air (outdoor painting) class. When asked to join the organization on a fulltime basis, he enthusiastically accepted.

“It’s the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had,” he said.

PRE-PANDEMIC PROGRAMMING

Before the pandemic, at the Kadima headquarters at the Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Activity Center in Southfield, there was a flurry of activity. Art programs in conjunction with the College for Creative Studies included printmaking/commercial arts, a mural painting class at City Hall Artspace Lofts in Dearborn, plein air (outdoor) painting and photography/stop-motion animation. A variety of music classes, some taught by visiting DSO musicians, include instrumental instruction, singing and movement. Among the most popular classes was a creative writing workshop and a member-written newsletter, the Kadima Voice.

Classes were augmented with field trips to the DIA and tickets to performances by the Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT), DSO and other local arts events.

Before in-person sessions were suspended, Joel also participated in the photography and music classes, where he played trombone and piano.

“Kadima has been very bene

ficial to my music and my art,” he said. “I learned about mixing colors…and the different processes of layering paint in a positive, fun atmosphere.”

THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS

In addition to providing numerous creative opportunities, the program utilizes certified therapists who help coordinate members’ chosen activities with their individual treatment goals. This includes art and music therapy and a drum circle that helps members focus on feelings and personal identity within a supportive group setting.

A family culinary arts therapy program brings members together with family and friends for a joint meal planning and cooking session that includes opportunities for socialization and problem solving.

“This is not just a ‘feel good’ program,” Adelman said. “When we’re engaging with people with persistent mental illness, we need to know we’re doing good work.”

FLOURISHING TALENT

For Michael, whose musical talents include singing, guitar playing and piano, the music enrichment classes are a natural choice.

“It’s great. I get to sing, dance, move to the music, interact with the other clients, perform before groups and work with DSO musicians,” he said.

Michael, who majored in journalism at Michigan State University and considers himself “a bit of a wordsmith,” also enjoyed the creative writing workshops. He recalls a writing assignment where members were asked to imagine they were super heroes.

“My super powers would be empathy, peace, love and understanding,” he said.

Michael had fun staging a King Kong-style scene in the photography class and enjoyed painting a fountain at Cranbrook Gardens in the plein air course last summer.

Miriam, who began playing the violin in third grade, is another regular member of the music program. In addition to learning from DSO musicians, she worked with a music therapist to choose themes and songs that optimized her talents and musical preferences. She was thrilled to perform in front of friends and family members at Orchestra Hall in the recital that culminates each session.

“It’s therapeutic to both learn and become more confident with my playing,” said Miriam, who likes Jewish music and wants to learn how to play “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel.

CREATIVITY GOES VIRTUAL

When the pandemic hit, Kadima staff worked quickly to adapt programming so members can participate from the safety of their homes. The DSO music enrichment classes are taking place over Zoom. New additions include a songwriting class and a special session for members who are new to the music program. A virtual

TOP: Kadima artists Madison Dunbar (sitting) and Brittany Strickland work collaboratively on a mural painting. BOTTOM: DSO musician Jeremy Crosmer joins Kadima’s Miriam Weiner at a performance. photography class with CCS several weeks, Joel has written instructor Gabby Baginski is the story for his graphic novel under way. and drawn 100 new pages.

Nowak is leading a creative The Creative Expressions writing class where each memprogram is funded by grants ber begins a story and passes it from the Community along until each member has Foundation for Southeast written an installment. Michigan and the D. Dan and

“It’s been keeping them active Betty Kahn Foundation, in and very creative, too,” said addition to private donations. Nowak, who is distributing An art exhibition is now online, tablets to members who don’t in lieu of the canceled June have computers at home. “It’s fundraising benefit at Rustbelt important that everyone stay Market in Ferndale. People connected.” can see members’ art by visit

Art therapist Shazia Siddiqi ingkadimacenter.org/events/ from “Let’s Art About It” in frame-of-mind. The Creative Clawson is providing weekly Expressions Program will be individual sessions online. showcased again at Kadima’s

In addition, Nowak has annual Community Awards designed creativity kits that Night, scheduled for Oct. 8, at include a variety of adult colthe Royal Oak Farmers Market. oring books and sketchbooks, For Adelman, the payoff is acrylic and watercolor painting seeing members blossom as a supplies, clay, knitting and result of their participation in crochet kits, hat and scarf the arts program. looms, embroidery kits, origa“Seeing people who otherwise mi, beading kits, and collage tend to be withdrawn realize materials. All of the kits come they can do things they couldn’t with instructions and links to do before … It translates to the YouTube videos. rest of their lives,” Adelman.

While the venues have said “These are the steps that changed, the artists are as prolead to recovery, happiness and lific as ever. During the past a positive self-image.”