Welcome to Nancy Schwartz-Katz Studio
Multidisciplinary visual artist Nancy Schwartz-Katz is best known for creating meaningful art that transforms established narratives and iconography into fresh expressions of identity and human connection nationally and internationally. Rooted in Jewish text, history, and communication, her work forms a visceral and compelling bridge between tradition and contemporary thought.
Oberfeld & Levine Ketubot
A Deeper look into Ketubot..
Designing a ketubah allows me to be present at the very beginning of a couple’s journey into marriage. A moment that is filled with intention, hope, and joy and it is an honor I do not take lightly. Each ketubah begins with listening: learning a couple’s story, how they met, what they value, and how they want this covenant to represent their lives intertwining. Inspiration may come from family history, meaningful symbols, or the text itself. I then interpret this visually with a sketch then create the finish through gouache, papercutting, or a combination of the two, to create a unique work of art. Through layered color and delicately cut forms, I create work that feels luminous, intentional, and quietly dramatic, bringing a contemporary voice to a deeply rooted tradition. Whether couples arrive with clear ideas or are still discovering what resonates, the process is thoughtful, collaborative, and unrushed, resulting in a ketubah that marks not only a wedding day, but a work of art that carries meaning forward into their life together.
The Hostage Ribbon
Nancy Schwartz Katz’s social commentary work explores human connection, collective memory, and moral responsibility through layered symbolism and meticulous craft. Drawing on history, text, and lived experience, her work addresses themes of belonging, empathy, and continuity without didacticism. Using papercutting she creates visually restrained yet emotionally resonant pieces that invite reflection, asking viewers to slow down and consider each piece's meaning, creating space for dialogue and reflection.
PBS Special
Programs such as Artistic Horizons and other PBS member station features highlight artists whose work carries cultural, artistic, and community significance. This episode introduces Nancy Schwartz-Katz, a Cleveland-based Judaic artist and Ohio Heritage Fellow known for her distinctive papercuts, ketubot, and layered paintings that engage tradition, narrative, and contemporary themes. By featuring Schwartz-Katz, PBS offers audiences insight into her artistic journey and the broader impact of her work, bringing her practice to a wider community invested in arts and culture.
