Atlanta arts community rallies around City of Ink amid zoning battle

City of Ink s Walker Street storefront has served as a creative hub since Now a zoning ordinance threatens its future Courtesy of City of Ink The Atlanta arts scene is rallying behind City of Ink the longtime Castleberry Hill creative hub as it faces a zoning challenge that could force its closure Owner and artist Miya Bailey says a city ordinance No -O- intended to restrict the future proliferation of tattoo parlors in the Castleberry Hill Landmark District is now being used against his business despite its having opened in Bailey contends the law was never meant to penalize existing businesses and that City of Ink should be protected under a grandfather clause In response he s issued a masses call to fans fellow artists and collaborators to show up for a inhabitants hearing and help protect one of Atlanta s majority influential Black-owned creative spaces Here are six things to know about what s happening who s involved and how you can help City of Ink opened in and helped shape a group Founded by artist and entrepreneur Miya Bailey City of Ink is more than a tattoo studio It s served as a gallery space mentorship hub and anchor for Castleberry Hill s creative district Since its opening it has incubated emerging artists and helped shape nearby cultural spaces including Peters Street Station and Hidden Gallery A zoning ordinance is at the center of the incident The City of Atlanta issued a stop-work order in April citing Ordinance -O- which amended Castleberry Hill s zoning to prohibit tattoo studios Bailey argues City of Ink is a legal non-conforming use since it was licensed and operating prior to the ordinance The ordinance was put in place back then to protect City of Ink not to be used against us almost years later Bailey wrote in a July Instagram post A population hearing is scheduled for July The zoning appeal will be heard by the Board of Zoning Adjustment at p m Thursday July in Council Chambers at Atlanta City Hall Trinity Avenue SW Bailey has requested the society to attend writing I really need the endorsement of the Atlanta art society We need your prayers love and assistance Read More Nuestra Creaci n brings Latine art to Castleberry Hill s Old Rabbit Gallery My Top Something Sherri Daye Scott of WABE City leaders and neighbors are backing the shop Former City Councilmember Kwanza Hall who co-sponsored the ordinance submitted a letter clarifying that the measure was intended to prevent new tattoo businesses versus retroactively target existing ones Councilmember Jason Dozier who represents the district also voiced promotion for grandfathering City of Ink The Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association NPU-M artist Dr Fahamu Pecou and local business owner Karl Booker submitted letters of backing as well describing the studio as a cultural cornerstone and economic driver in the neighborhood Mayor Andre Dickens has acknowledged the issue After Bailey posted about the closure on Instagram five days ago Mayor Andre Dickens responded directly in the comment thread Got it Understood I see it Tagged Received Looking into it Standby Dickens s comment has since received more than replies with several thanking the mayor for taking note Fundraising and private bookings are underway While the Walker Street location remains closed Bailey and his association have turned to selling art merchandise and booking private tattoo sessions to raise money for equipment legal fees and remodeling Supporters can follow miyabailey updates and donation opportunities The post Atlanta arts neighborhood rallies around City of Ink amid zoning battle appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta