Remembering the Holocaust through Art by Holocaust Survivor Morris Katz

• Morris Katz a world Famous Artist and Holocaust Survivor took enormous pride in both being a Jew and an American patriot. He selflessly dedicated himself to thank and contribute to America and the liberties it stands for. Born in Galicia in 1932, Morris Katz’s once-in-a-generation artistic talent was evident at a young age. At age 13, Morris studied art in Munich under famed Dr. Hans Fokler. During the Holocaust, he suffered unspeakable horrors in Nazi concentration camps and lost most of his family. After arriving in New York as a refugee, Katz began working as a carpenter. However, after struggling to find a job where he was able to keep Sabbath, he began painting. Morris Katzs art career in the US would earn him global acclaim, with nicknames such as “the world’s fastest artist” and “the Albert Einstein of Art.” Morris was recognized Twice by the Guinness Book of World Records as both the fastest and most prolific artist in the world, wresting the latter world record from Picasso in his presence! 
• The president Collection:
  • Within minutes of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Morris Katz began his longest and dearest project ever: The Presidential Collection. He spent six years painting meticulous masterful portraits of each president, from George Washington through, eventually, George H. W. Bush. The artist famous for completing beautiful portraits within minutes spent an average of 200 hours(!) on each Presidential Collection portrait in “Old Master” style. These were the first presidential portraits in history in which the flags featured a precise number of stars, equal to the number of states/colonies in the Union at the time. These portraits became world famous. Millions of postcards featuring them were sold, each one featuring a tribute from the artist to the presidents and the great nation they led.
  • “Morris Katz’s contributions to American culture and his deep seated patriotism cannot be overstated,”says Duvi Honig Founder & CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.
  • Fame and all, Morris Katz maintained an approachable, good natured personality. He remained at heart a persecuted Jew hailing from one of the world’s poorest regions. He prized his ability to use art to transmit a message to the next generation. Showing his gratitude towards the US for providing him sanctuary and his reverence for the American value of religious liberty knew no bounds.
• Booklet about the Collection
• Collage of the Presidential Collection
• Executive Summary
• Information for Teachers