Paula Katz

Paula Katz decided to pursue decompression and relaxation in The Virgin Islands and Bar Harbor, Maine for her renewal experience, especially considering the beginning of her award cycle came with the news of her very first pregnancy. On these trips, Katz was able to bring along her family, giving even the four-legged members an opportunity to share in the memory-making. Having grown up in Massachusetts, Katz had extended family in the area who were able to visit for Independance Day activities on Mount Desert Island where Bar Harbor is located.

As a smaller family unit, they were able to hike Acadia National Park. Both sets of grandparents were also able to join in during their stay on the island. On the island of St. Thomas where her family rented a house, they spent time simply relaxing on the beach and enjoying fantastic seafood. To quell the explorer in her, Katz took her family to explore the island of St. John and on a boat tour of the British Virgin Islands.

The renewal process, for Katz, was primarily a much-needed opportunity to decompress. Aside from traveling, Katz tried to focus more on the idea of renewal to better practice happiness and effectiveness in her professional and personal endeavors. Katz explains, “While I am still learning how to manage this, I am getting better at "shutting off" at the end of the day so that I can truly enjoy the time I spend with friends and family. The fellowship helped me understand and create better work-life balance. In that regard, I am more excited than ever about the work that I do as part of the larger Indianapolis arts community.”