“Keys on Kites”
Merges Gallery, Body Art

At 5 p.m., the announced time for its grand opening, workers at Keys On Kites Tattoo & Gallery were still buzzing around the newly installed sign fronting 869 Whalley Ave. in the heart of Westville Village.

The metal sign with raised images of keys and a kite and large letters spelling ​“TATTOO” was designed to be back-lit by special LED lighting technology. It’s the creation of artist Rocko Gallipoli, one of many artists and artisans whose work came together on Saturday in time to welcome a packed house of friends, the curious, and well-wishers. 

A raised awning emblazoned with the business logo may raise some eyebrows in an area of town that has come to be known for its thriving art scene, restaurants, and fashion boutiques. But from its name to its tasteful interior, Keys On Kites dispels notions and stereotypes often associated with tattoo culture.

Tattoos have largely gone mainstream and no longer carry the stigma once associated with shady subcultures or drunken binges. The gallery’s name, which emerged from a staff brainstorming session, pays homage to the storied kite and keys electricity experiments conducted by scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin. The idea is to associate Franklin’s then cutting edge electrical technology, with the latest in electric tattoo instruments used by the gallery. Antique ​“skeleton” keys, provided by staff body-piercing specialist and key collector, Mati Valeriay, are imbedded in the gallery’s receptionist counter and are displayed in various vignettes with other antiques and artifacts throughout the gallery.

Business owner Eric Mikita, a former Paier College of Art student, said he moved his business, 13th Hour Tattoo & Gallery, from East Haven’s Foxon Boulevard to New Haven, and Westville specifically, ​“to be where the art scene is.” Judging from the inaugural art exhibit, ​“Pace Time Continuum: Deja Truu,” the business promises to not only be near the arts scene, but to become an integral part of it. Mikita said he plans to host a new exhibit every three months. 

Currently on display are the works of self-taught mixed media artist Michael Johnston. The gallery is showing his sculptural wall-mounted time pieces as well as a selection of related watercolors. The densely layered paintings make use of vigorous line work that’s suggestive of time and motion. Johnston, who hopes to raise awareness of the importance of recycling, refers to his clock pieces as ​“additive sculptures” describing a process whereby the sculptor adds elements, rather a subtractive process of removing material to create the desired form. The sculptures are reminiscent of Louise Nevelson’s totemic wood assemblages that were made with found wood objects merging form, shape and negative space. Johnston’s pieces utilize the minutiae of discarded electronic components, circuitry, and found metallic objects. Parts are combined through the use of adhesives to create highly textured asymmetrical forms that are both futuristic and mechanical in appearance. Pieces are then finished in unifying metallic paint colors. The integration of functioning clock faces with the dense wall assemblages pushes the form into the realm of craft, but the sculptures could easily stand on their own without the functional application.

Located in Westville’s Revive Wellness Center building, a center for ​“holistic healing modalities and art forms,” the operation boasts the only known tattoo facility in Connecticut to have its own ​“in-house” physician that oversees operations as they pertain to sanitary and hygienic practices. Dr. Artemis Morris, founder of Revive Wellness Center is board-certified in Naturopathic Medicine and will have a continuing role in assuring best practices at Keys on Kites, though the two businesses are not officially connected, according to owner Mikita.

A tour of the facility revealed separate rooms for each of the five studio technicians including one body-piercing specialist. Each studio, painted in rich saturated color, is its own mini-art gallery featuring the fine art of the respective Gallery artists. Tattoo artist Steve Cacioppo, who prefers working in black and grey colors, said that each concept for a tattoo is developed as a free-hand sketch which is then made into a stencil using a special thermal copy transfer machine. After prepping the skin’s surface, electric instruments that utilize one-time only disposable needles, are used to create the tattoos. Cacioop called it ​“fine art which can be put on your body.” 

Two women on staff, Dora Sambuco and Jodi Longo provide tattoo services for both men and women and said their designs gravitate toward more floral, natural or decorative designs. Mati Valeriay who considers himself both a jeweler and body piercing technician, said that he is often called upon to repair body piercing jobs that go bad and are either self-inflicted or done by less-than-professional practitioners. Stringent identification procedures require that anyone under18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, a long form birth certificate and school I.D. in order to receive piercing services.

Carpenters Daniel Northrop and Brian Browning, who are friends of the owner, were responsible for construction of the gallery’s interior space. Northrop pointed to the shop’s attention-to-detail ethic, including the bathroom, which features subway-style floor tiling, walls imbedded with small kitschy and found objects, and a gold, powder-coat painted commode – a fun accent that is in keeping with the overall vibe of the gallery. .

Providing entertainment for the opening event was Deuce Bug, DJ Chuck Nickelz, and The Rustos under the auspices of Mindz‑I Entertainment Group, a Milford-based business. Audio and Performance Director Xavier Main, who collaborates with Mindz‑I, coordinated a professional show worthy of any club or music venue. The entertainment program played to a friendly demographic of hip hop and tattoo fans, and young hipsters — many from the ​“Havens” — East, West and New Haven. An after-party, celebrating the grand opening, followed at the adjacent New West Cafe.

Keys on Kites Tattoo & Gallery adds yet another dimension to the growing list of service oriented businesses in Westville. The business’ emphasis and incorporation of fine art with skin arts services reflects a trend of multi-track marketing by some businesses and a good fit for the arts-minded community they now serve. ​“We will be good neighbors and hope to add to the vitality and excitement already being generated in the Westville District” said Mikita.