HALLIE KATZ
A resident of Ojai, California, Hallie Katz owned HumanArts Gallery with her husband, Stan Katz. The gallery, in Ojai’s historic Arcade shopping district, exhibited the work of over 130 local and nationally known artists. After 45 years, the gallery closed in July 2020.
Hallie is a jewelry designer and makes custom work in precious metals and gems. She finds it tremendously satisfying to design a special piece of jewelry for a client that has meaning, suits their lifestyle, and makes a unique statement.
Inspired by a wonderful teacher in a high school jewelry making class, Hallie decided it was precisely what she would do for the rest of her life. She continued in the extensive metal smithing program at Cal State Northridge, and then rented a studio where she began to teach class. From 1970 to 1980 she and her husband operated a school in Studio City where they taught all facets of jewelry making to hobbyists and professionals and sold jewelry supplies as well.
They moved to Ojai in 1980 to become partners in a gallery called Running Ridge that had opened five years earlier. At that time Hallie began designing a production line of silver and gold jewelry, which she sold successfully at juried craft shows, galleries and gift shops around the country.
Hallie and Stan stopped selling their work nationally soon after becoming sole owners of the gallery in 1991, at which time the gallery was re-named HumanArts.
She continues to make one of a kind sculptural jewelry and is currently showing her work at OVA Arts, 238 E. Ojai Avenue.
Hallie is a past trustee of the American Craft Council. Over the years she and Stan have juried a number of the ACC national craft shows and curated many exhibits. She was also on the board of the Ojai Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory committee of the Ojai Visitors Bureau, and the chair of the Ojai Village Merchants Committee.