Since 2009, Katie Watts has been well-known as a singer-songwriter around the local club scene, but her talent extends beyond music.
“I’m a multidisciplinary artist, working in paint, printmaking, photography, digital media, and found-object sculptures,” she says. “My work explores transformation, resilience, memory, nostalgia, and finding beauty in things that others might overlook.”
After graduating with a graphic design degree from the University of Southern Indiana in 2007, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in 2021 from the University of Louisville’s Hite Institute of Art + Design. Soon after, Watts accepted an art instructor position at USI; with a more predictable schedule, she found time to play music again.
Then, a 2023 doctor’s visit for a sore throat resulted in the diagnosis of Stage II Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma. For Watts, a singer and educator, that news was devastating and touched on nearly every aspect of her life. An immediate thyroid lobectomy removed one half of her thyroid gland. “After surgery, I couldn’t speak, so my art became my voice,” Watts says. “I was able to process fear, grief, and uncertainty when words weren’t available to me.”
To ensure the cancer was eradicated, in January 2024 Watts underwent a thyroidectomy to remove the other gland as well as some lymph nodes. Although successful, her worst fears were realized when her left vocal fold was paralyzed during the operation.
“As an educator, a musician, a singer, just a human being, losing my voice was one of the hardest parts of my cancer journey,” she recalls. “I could barely speak above a whisper, I struggled to breathe, eat, laugh, and even cry. There were many times when I felt I may never be able to speak again.”
Nine months of intensive speech therapy followed. Today, Watts has regained about 85 percent of her vocal function. “The entire experience has given me an even greater appreciation for every conversation I have, every class I teach, and every song I sing,” she says. In remission since September 2024, she adds, “One of the biggest misconceptions is that the journey is over. That is far from the reality for a cancer survivor. There are ongoing scans, bloodwork, and appointments that every survivor knows well.”
These days, Watts gives back to Cancer Pathways Midwest, where she serves as an ambassador. “Being part of Pathways is one of the most meaningful parts of my survivorship journey,” she says. “Connecting with fellow survivors, caregivers, and families reminds me that no one has to face cancer alone. I’m fortunate to be able to balance teaching, creating visual art, and performing music again. It’s a reminder that life after cancer can still be filled with creativity, and joy.”
Follow Katie Watts on Facebook @katherinewattsart.
Art Woodward, also known as Art the Dude, is a writer and lifelong lover of music — skill sets that serve him well when reviewing Evansville’s concert and events scene.
