Farzak of Brightmoor

In 2025, I was honored to win First Place for my sculpture in The Nutcracker Contest, a highlight of the Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival in Detroit. This community-driven initiative, hosted by the Williams Park Alliance Inc., featured 20 life-sized, illuminated nutcrackers crafted by local artists using recycled materials. The project celebrated creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.

For my piece, I embraced repurposing found materials to craft a unique, 15-foot nutcracker. From an 8-by-10-foot shag rug sourced from a Buy Nothing group to a drum discovered in my kids' basement collection and wood chips from a barbecue smoker, every element of my nutcracker carried a story and connection to my roots. Through this project, I sought to merge my passion for sustainable art with the festival's celebration of holiday traditions.

The recognition of The Nutcracker and Farzak extended beyond the festival. My winning artwork was featured in The Detroit News, Channel 7, Channel 4, Channel 2, Bridge Detroit, and more, drawing attention to the power of creative reuse and the revitalization of Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood.

The festival itself transformed the Etheldra Mae Williams Park into a winter wonderland, bringing together symbols of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas alongside carolers, holiday movies, and even a "Living Nativity." This event highlighted the Williams Park Alliance's mission to revitalize neglected properties and foster community spirit through art and culture.

Being part of such a meaningful project and seeing my work appreciated on a grand scale was truly inspiring. It underscored the transformative power of art in connecting people and shining a light on Detroit's vibrant creativity.

PRESS:

Channel 4 Coverage - Link

Channel 7WXYZ Coverage - Link

C&G News Article - Link

Detroit News Article - Link

Bridge Detroit Article - Link