Art often challenges us to stretch our imagination, shift perspective and adopt — or, at least, acknowledge — viewpoints outside of our normal frames of reference.
That’s why we may seek it and spend so much time contemplating its many forms. One thing that we don’t always consider on its own, though, when it comes to artistic expression? The physical canvas. At Nidum Studios, it’s impossible not to do just that. Half of the gallery is devoted to works on skin (also known as tattoos).
Blank canvas
Nidum (pronounced “Need-um”) is a local art gallery and private tattoo studio that recently opened in the Storehouse 9 building in the Navy Yard near Park Circle. Founded in September 2024 by husband-and-wife duo (and North Charleston residents) Bradley and Betsy Butler, along with partner Dave Riley, the space is split into two — literally and figuratively. Walk in and veer right, there’s the art gallery, which specializes in work from area artists. Go left and you’ll find the body art salon.
Nidum offers an experience that feels separate from and different than either of its halves would suggest — its vibe matches neither that of a traditional gallery nor tattoo shop. And yet, it makes complete sense the moment you walk in the door. According to Betsy Butler, this is intentional and a natural reflection of the symbiosis between the two artistic realms.
“Dave and I are tattoo artists who met in our previous jobs. We both love and appreciate art, and we’d been talking about doing something together for years,” she said. “My husband [Brad] is a natural curator, and we love art. It fills our home. Bringing the two together happened organically but also made total sense to us.”
In fact, it was the Charleston area’s zoning restrictions that ultimately mapped the trio’s path to the Navy Yard.
“To do body art, you’re really limited to spaces classified as ‘light industrial,’ ” Butler explained.
A serendipitous discussion with friend Thea Anderson, the Navy Yard’s marketing manager, by a pool last summer sealed the deal.
“I do the marketing for Storehouse 9, and I knew immediately that it would be the perfect place for Betsy, Brad and Dave. They are exactly what we envisioned for the maker spaces,” Anderson said. “Nidum represents what we look for [in the people who occupy Storehouse 9’s 12 ground-level studios]. The thing that unites everyone here is being the best at what they do.”
Curating a community
Nidum held its grand opening in mid-January, and has been welcoming visitors and private clients ever since. Last week, the gallery completed an installation of its latest show, a collection of mixed-media pieces entitled Memoria y Diseno by local artist Cristina Victor. A blend of sculpture, textiles and framed works, it references Victor’s Cuban-American roots.
The viewing experience is immersive, something Brad Butler, who curated the show, says is key to Nidum’s approach.
“We don’t just hang art,” he said. “We view our exhibitions as takeovers. They are experiential. We worked with Cristina not just to display her ceramics and textiles, but also to use our relationship with Paul Harris of Island Bazaar to procure furniture. Pairing the pieces with the right chair, for instance — something Cristina could imagine her Cuban grandmother drinking iced white wine in, a favorite childhood memory — evokes a deeper sense of place.
“That’s crucial for us,” Brad Butler continued. “When Cristina’s friends came in for the preview, they immediately said, ‘Wow! This feels like home.’ ”
That level of detail and devotion has already endeared Nidum to area artists, which is the goal — but it also helps on the client side, too, Brad Butler said.
“When we build out the entire space, make it an experience, it gives people a sense of what these pieces could look like at their homes. They can imagine fully what it would be like not just to see them but to live with them forever.”
All of which, Betsy Butler said, translates seamlessly to the philosophy behind the tattoo salon.
“Art changes a person. It changes the way you think and feel about yourself,” she said. “When you extend that concept of transformation to the body, you can see how important it is to have a place like Nidum. We offer a body-positive experience, a safe place to land. We build trust and create memories through art.
“In the end, Nidum is for artists and art lovers. On either side of the salon, we’re a place you’ll find someone who could be your son or your grandmother. People can relate to us.”
Follow @nidumstudios to learn more.
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