Red Raven Art Company showcases gallery along with tattoos, piercing

No doubt most people have heard the term “mastermind alliance,” – a concept made famous by the late motivational icon Napoleon Hill.

Hill defined this as "the coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose in the spirit of harmony."

In Myrtle Beach, this mastermind alliance is exemplified in brick and mortar at Red Raven Art Company, located at U.S. 501 and Seaboard Street – the busiest intersection in Myrtle Beach – and embodied in the shared philosophies of like-minded individuals.

Red Raven Art Company is the culmination of a collective vision to create a vibrant gallery space for the burgeoning local art community, as well as a complete uprooting and revamping of the stereotypical image of a tattoo shop – making this venue a transformational experience.

Open just over a month, Red Raven is all about making art a focal point and creating a hub for artists of all stripes.

“Ever since I started, my dream was to open a little custom art gallery shop,” said co-owner and artist Amir Marziparo, who has been forefront in the tattoo scene here for many years – notably with his existing shops, Dr. Piercing and Dr. Ink.

He envisioned a place with no flash on the walls – a space where all aspects of art intertwine while making the tattoo experience perhaps less intimidating and much more inclusive.

“This is the first tattoo shop and art gallery mixed together here,” he said. “We’re putting big hands on the art component, and incorporating it with people who want to show off their art.”

He envisions monthly gatherings to bring in artists and buyers, and a tie-in with local children’s charities by way of giving back to the community.

Trying to get a business up and running in any town is no easy task, let alone with a cutting-edge concept like Red Raven Art Company.

“It takes about five to six months no matter what,” he said. “Being a new concept in a different location, they had a lot more questions. They had to come check it out for themselves.”

Marziparo said that he and lead artist Shey Haf-Ded became friends soon after Haf-Ded’s arrival on the Grand Strand more than seven years ago – and that his friendship with co-owner Taylor J. Burt goes back for almost a decade as well.

“We were kind of riding on the same ideas a lot of the time and knew that it could work – so we gave it a try for sure,” he said.

Indeed, Haf-Ded envisions Red Raven as a catch-all for all art.

“We are not limiting ourselves to any one specific art form – hence the name ‘art company,’” he said, adding that he and Marziparo talked about this concept many times over the years.

“For us, the shop is really a kind of creative child – an environment that we feel is productive and is an inviting setting for all ages.”

Haf-Ded is known for realism in his tattoos – and he has a painting on display as well. He contends that canvas and skin, to him, are one and the same.

“We are really trying to approach something that haven’t had here in Myrtle Beach – a little more of an artistic element and a little less of the in-your-face tattoo element or the stigmas that might come with it,” he said.

“Even in tattoo form, it’s art first,” said Burt, adding that this is why the word “tattoo” is not a part of the company’s name.

“It is a place where everyone can feel comfortable, but not intimidated.”

Don’t expect to hear heavy metal blasting out the lobby either because, much like the clichéd biker stereotypes, the paradigm has shifted according to Burt, especially at Red Raven.

“The people getting tattooed now are families, doctors and bankers.”

Burt is all about the integration of art and a gathering spot for the community – especially on the Grand Strand, which could be construed as an underserved area in terms of culture.

“[Myrtle Beach] has some of the most amazing talent anywhere, and they have nowhere to showcase their talent because some of the other places that do showcases are very conservative and they don’t push the boundaries. Now they have a place,” he said.

Burt’s entrepreneurial spirit comes into play in this equation as well.

“I am the operational partner,” he said. “I am here full time every day – making sure everything runs right. We invite everyone to come and see the art and experience the art culture that is going on here. You don’t have to come for tattoos, but come check the place out. There is something here for everyone, tattoos or not.”

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Red Raven Art Company showcases gallery along with tattoos, piercing."