By Brittany Knupper
Marcel Katz grew up in a family of artists. While his mother painted, his brother curated art shows around France. However, Katz himself jokes that he was only good at making balloon animals.
“I loved art, but I wasn’t talented,” he admits. Instead, he developed a talent for recognizing greatness in others. He explains: “I can see talent in people before they can see it in themselves.”
Using this gift, he built a career in the Miami nightlife industry. Eventually, he realized he wanted to take his career in a new direction. Thus, Marcel Katz The Art Plug was born.
Creating an Art Market
Leveraging his nightlife connections, Katz created an instant market for his artists. For example, he met the illustrator Ketnipz online. After providing him with canvases, Katz threw him into the deep end. The result was a brand-new art market for the young artist.
Of course, there was a learning curve. Katz recalls: “It was a mess because I tried to do everything myself… But over the years, you learn how to listen.”
Today, his exhibitions have lines that wrap around the block. The Art Plug aesthetic is “a little bit of everything,” ranging from Surrealism to Pop Art. Most importantly, Katz loves that there are no rules in contemporary art.
Connecting the Dots
The mission of Marcel Katz The Art Plug is creating an experience, not just showing art. Katz states: “We connect the dots for you. We plug artists with my network – our resources become their resources.”
To further this mission, Katz launched his own publishing company, Monsieur Marcel. This venture focuses on art prints, sculptures, fashion, and luxury home goods. It allows him total creative control, from “fake” Philippe Starck chairs to exclusive limited editions.
One key artist in his “family” is CB Hoyo. Katz notes: “He cares so much… When we do Basel, his tents are so intricate – they have their own stories and visuals.”
Embracing Social Media
Katz has found success by embracing social media as a vital tool. He believes artists must promote themselves now more than ever. Galleries are helpful, but social media offers a huge international platform.
His advice for artists is simple: engage with everyone. He urges them to reply to comments and stay positive. Recently, he started going live on Instagram to answer questions, which doubled his exposure.
Collaboration and Charity
His willingness to collaborate led to major partnerships, such as with Lyft during Miami Art Week. He also hosted his own experimental fair, The Art Plug Power House. This multi-sensory event featured custom scents and curated designs.
Beyond business, Katz is dedicated to charity. He works with the Caliber Foundation on a gun buyback program. Through this initiative, artists use guns and bullets to create art, raising money for victims of violence.
Ultimately, Marcel Katz The Art Plug is about connection. Whether speaking to students or curating massive shows, he remains the artist’s champion.
