The Blind Tiger Studio and Gallery: A Haven for Art and Tattoos

ART ON DISPLAY — Dan Ferrara, owner of the Blind Tiger Studio and Gallery, stands before some of the many pieces of art to be displayed at his new art studio and tattoo parlor on the Wellsburg Town Square beginning Friday. — Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The Blind Tiger Studio and Gallery, located on the Wellsburg Town Square, offers not only a wide range of tattoo designs but also serves as a platform for owner Dan Ferrara’s artistic creations and art shows.

Ferrara has been a tattoo artist for over 25 years, but his passion extends beyond tattoos. He enjoys creating playable guitars out of old cigar boxes, incorporating old candle holders into new pieces of art, and producing watercolor paintings and sketches with a surreal or macabre theme. Additionally, he offers prints and T-shirts featuring his unique artwork.

The studio also acts as a gallery, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and other artwork by various talented artists. In fact, Ferrara has invited around 25 artists from different parts of the county to participate in the gallery’s inaugural exhibit, named “Falling Forward,” which will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday.

The event, aimed at adults, will feature alcoholic beverages and a Halloween costume contest, with cash prizes for the top winners. Some of the showcased artwork will be available for purchase.

Ferrara plans to continue hosting art shows and welcomes local artists interested in exhibiting their work. He is also open to selling art on consignment for a nominal fee.

The Blind Tiger Studio and Gallery joins other art-centric establishments in Wellsburg, such as Martha’s Gallery on Charles St. and the Brooke County Museum and Culture Center, further enriching the city’s downtown business district.

The name “Blind Tiger” pays homage to the speakeasies and saloons of the Roaring ’20s, which used stuffed tigers as covert symbols of their illicit liquor trade during Prohibition. Ferrara’s love for art and desire to run his own business led him to pursue a career in tattoos. He discovered the Ohio Valley through a tattoo artists’ convention and was drawn to its laid-back lifestyle and proximity to Pittsburgh.

The clientele for tattoos has evolved significantly, and women now make up 90% of Ferrara’s customers. While tattoos are popular among teenagers, Ferrara has set a minimum age requirement of 16 for his services. He emphasizes the importance of careful consideration when choosing a tattoo and advises selecting an image that is visually appealing and enjoyable for a lifetime.

The studio operates from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.