Oregon Body-Art Center Celebrates First Birthday with BBQ Potluck

All are welcome to enjoy the afternoon with great artwork, food, and camaraderie.

Half of the tattoo artists pose for this photo at the Grand Opening in 2013. Madee, Tattoo Mike, Big Momma & Ledhead Ned. Photos by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Body-Art Center celebrates its first birthday with a community BBQ on Sunday. Founded by experienced tattoo artist Mike Kondash in 2013, the Oregon Body-Art Center has enjoyed sustained success since its inception.

Boasting a highly skilled creative team of award-winning tattoo artists and a barber, the Oregon Body-Art Center is growing non-stop.

“Everyone at the Oregon Body-Art Center has played a key role in bringing it to where it is today,” said Mike Kondash.

This annual event is meant to cultivate community and engage anyone interested in the art of tattooing.

“It’s a great chance for people to meet tattoo artists and see them at work. Examples of their tattoos will be displayed, and plenty of flash to look at,” Kondash said. “Come and get to know the people who work here.”

The event kicks off at 1 p.m. All afternoon, members of the Oregon Body-Art Center will be giving tours of the facility and welcoming new clients to their rosters.

There will be raffles and free giveaways. You might win a free tattoo, t-shirts, shot glasses, tattoo discounts, or other cool stuff.

“We ask that folks bring something for the potluck table, we’re providing ribs and chicken, so side dishes and desserts would be a good choice,” Kondash said. “But if you’re not hungry and just want to come and see what’s going on, stop on by.”

Anyone and everyone (kids too) are encouraged to come and share in a meal and good conversation with friends old and new.

Meet & Greet with the Artists

There are eight tattoo artists and one barber within the Oregon Body-Art Center in SE Salem. Each is an independently owned and operated business. All of the artists offer consultations and custom design work with clients. Tattoo artists include Manny, Madee, Big Momma, Ledhead Ned, Clutch, Mr. Matt, Monica, Tattoo Mike, plus Brandon, the Ace of Fades barber.

The Oregon Body-Art Center is the only full-service body art mall in the state. “We provide customer satisfaction through excellent service and quality work,” Kondash said.

“This is a place where body art practitioners, young and old, can share, learn, promote and practice their art to help bring our community closer together, in a licensed, safe, clean environment. We are each dedicated to the profession of tattooing as a form of art.”

The excellence doesn't end with the tattoos though; just one look at some of the sharp haircuts coming out of the Ace of Fades Barber shop proves that an artistic hand can have many canvases.

“My clients come here, relax and enjoy their haircut experience in their own way. Every person is unique, and their hair style says something about them,” says Brandon, owner of Ace of Fades. “They tell their friends, and business is going great.”

“We’re also taking advantage of this anniversary by announcing a new location, opening in the Spring 2015,” Kondash said.

“We have a plan in place to open a shop just out of Lakeview, Oregon, which should be a lot of fun and also fill a need in that area of the state.”

The Birthday party starts at 1 p.m. Come eat a bit of birthday cake and find out for yourself what all the buzz is about.

Oregon Body-Art Center is located at 1705 State Street, Salem, Oregon.

Facebook links:
Oregon Body-Art Center
Ledhead Ned
Madee Cavazos
Manny
Ace of Fades Barber
Club13 Tattoo

Grand opening party at Oregon Body-Art Center, September 2013