Java.FEB.2017

About three years ago, Katz’s story changed in a major way when he and his wife
divorced. This set him on a path of self-discovery that helped him realize he had
ADD. People had often told him that he might have ADD, but he never got an
official diagnosis or sought help until his divorce.
“My mind will go on several tangents,” said Katz. “If someone starts talking to
me about a topic, I will already be on the fifth topic. It’s that kind of stuff that
helps me to be creative in my career. It’s also that type of stuff that I realized was
hurting me in my relationships.” Another issue that Katz addressed was his time
spent working or distracted on the Internet. He wasn’t spending enough time with
family or seeking out new experiences. Katz determined to change that and did.
“I ran with bulls in Pamplona; stayed in a castle in Italy; took Amtrak up the West
Coast,” said Katz. “Experiencing new cultures and environments, even eating
new cuisines, helps you be more empathetic and understanding of the human
condition, so you can connect with people. I feel like I am a totally different
person than I was three years ago.”
Katz and his friend Dave Woodruff recently came up with an idea to create a new
business that would focus on helping non-profits partner with corporations to hire
artists for creative work. Often, non-profits want to produce high-quality projects,
but their budgets restrict them. They want to procure corporate sponsors for nonprofits
to help them pay creatives to make great projects. By investing in artists,
non-profits and corporate sponsorship, Katz is using his experiences to help
others. He is giving cool a conscience and, in turn, is making conscience cool.
Inaugural Exhibition
for the new
Nakotah LaRance (Hopi/Tewa/Assiniboine) of Ohkay
Owingeh Pueblo, N.M., 2015 and 2016 World champion
Photo by Lizard Light Studios
Opening Party Feb. 9
Open to the Public Feb. 10
Get your tickets at
heard.org
flockofpixels.com and about.me/justinkatz