By Kathryn Millhorn
The term “Fleshworks Mob” conjures up images of villagers with pitchforks on a dusky Transylvania hillside. Instead they’re a force for good throughout Olympia, helping the less fortunate and coordinating tremendous change for the better.
The Mob is comprised of friends, fans, and clients of Fleshworks Tattoo Studio and its owners Travis and Cynthia Brown. The Browns moved Fleshworks from Arizona to Olympia eleven years ago “to be with family and to enjoy the beauty of the Northwest” says Cynthia. This move has paid off. The shop just won first prize in the Best of Western Washington competition, beating more than 160 other tattoo parlors around the region.
Always an artist, Travis began tattooing and opened up his first shop in Arizona when he was 19. Says Cynthia, “Travis continues all kinds of art including painting, but it’s nice to be able to do what you love as a career.” This passion shows in his amazing original work, as well as traditional tattoo designs. Personally, I sought him out with only a vague idea in mind. My one-on-one consultation ensured that the finished piece was much more than I imagined. His years of skill can be seen in deft cover up’s of scars, damaged, or regretted tattoos.
Once I’d signed on as a client, I noticed the Mob’s tremendous fan-base and level of community spirit. Their events are free, open to all, and some of the most welcoming in town. (Keep up with events by following their Facebook page.)
With finances tight for everyone, it’s nice to be able to participate in a fundraiser that asks for only a few dollars of donations. Canned food, gently used coats, and sale toys are something even my humble budget can contribute. At their recent wildlife fundraiser this past summer, my lowly $10 rewarded me with a wine tasting at a local winery!
As successful small business owners, the Browns quickly realized they “really wanted to give back to the community. As a local business we believe that if you want change, you have to create change. We realized how much support we had as a business and wanted to encourage the community to be more involved. We have a close-knit Fleshworks Family (aka The Fleshworks Mob). They are always eager to get involved in giving back and we always include them in our events; it’s amazing and we appreciate the constant support. The Mob is growing bigger which only means more helping hands to give back.”
Through stand-alone fundraisers, Fleshworks has given to such hands on organizations as For Heaven’s Sake Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless, and the Providence St. Peter’s Hospital No One Dies Alone program. Along with Oly Memes, the Fleshworks Mob also participated in cleaning up Olympia neighborhoods by picking up garbage and used drug needles discarded around their West Olympia shop.
The Browns also facilitate vital supply, coat, blanket, and toy drives for needy populations around Olympia. They are currently hosting a toiletry drive for our local homeless population, seeking socks, cash, playing cards, and first aid supplies. In the past they’ve partnered with the Cedar Creek Corrections Center to collect toys donated to children with incarcerated parents. They even sold cupcakes from their shop with all monies sent to help Oso mudslide victims.
This tremendous spirit of community service has not gone unnoticed. At the recent For Heaven’s Sake fundraiser, many local companies stepped up and donated goods and services. Brown is proud that “several local businesses donated including Eastside Big Tom for the food, The Bearded Lady for desserts, Pockets Full of Pie for a pie, San Francisco Street Bakery for baked goods, Home Depot Tumwater for trash bags, 1-800-Got-Junk picked up the trash and donated a dump load to the raffle, Jusby the Clown donated his time, Island Johnny donated the Port A Potty, Tugboat Annie’s gave a gift certificate for the raffle, we gave away tattoo sessions, Wild Birds Unlimited provided a gift basket, Northern Highlights sent hair products, and Papa John’s on the Westside brought pizza coupons. Other prizes included donated photo shoots from local photographers, and a buffet from the Red Wind Casino. During this event we raised $1,200 for the animal shelter.”
The Pew Research Center’s 2013 report puts the number of tattooed Americans at 45 million. This growing demographic tends to be passionate about their favorite artists and shops, sharing photos of new pieces far and wide. Travis and Cynthia Brown wisely harnessed this kind of word-of-mouth advertising to significantly improve their city.
Their shop is located at 1015 4th Avenue West, Suite J, in the green Medical Arts Center Building. Photos, testimonials, and donation information can be found either on their website, Facebook page, or Twitter feed. Stop by to chat about their current fundraiser or portfolio of work any time; they’re open from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. daily.
