Visionary Miya Bailey Transforming Castleberry Hill Art Community
Miya Bailey, renowned artist and entrepreneur, has been a key figure in bringing tattoo artistry into mainstream culture while cultivating a thriving art community in Castleberry Hill. Alongside his business partner and art curator, Plushette Ellis, they have transformed the neighborhood into a vibrant hub for creative expression.
Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Miya Bailey moved to Atlanta in 1994 to escape the streets to pursue an art career. Bailey began his tattoo journey in the early ‘90s after reading a book by Don Hardy on tattooing and tattoo culture. Upon noticing there was no African tattoo culture included in the book alongside the Japanese and New Zealand tattoo culture, Bailey started doing research on African art and warrior culture. As Bailey says, “That’s how I got into tattooing.” For the culture. The rest is history.
City of Ink Tattoo Studio, well known for their skill in tattooing melanin-rich skin tones in vivid colors. City of Ink has gone on to become round zero for Atlanta creatives, and a favorite of celebrities. City of Ink‘s annual anniversary celebrations are legendary, with attendees by the thousands, many flying in from around the country.
333 Peters Street Station is a community center, a culture house, art gallery, studio and event space featuring popular art-centered activities and events each week. The recently opened fine arts gallery Old Rabbit Art Gallery is presenting #MYMY333, a solo exhibition and new works by Miya Bailey on Friday September 6, 2024. Old Rabbit Gallery’s goal is to reinvigorate the local art community and provide a platform for contemporary artists.
Plushette Ellis, Bailey’s business partner and gallery curator remarks, “Being able to curate art in all these beautiful galleries that Miya Bailey has created has been very rewarding. He trusts and believes in my vision, and the community I love does as well. Ellis shares a goal with Bailey, which is to see art in all Black family homes.
