Dunking pin-up girls and giving back: Get in on Studio 21’s latest good deed

By Erin Ryan

Thursday, July 5, 2012 | noon

Atypical. That’s Studio 21, from the exceptional quality of the tattoos and the art-gallery atmosphere of the shop to the two-tone beard of its patriarch, Charlie Spencer.

Judging by the depth of his client list and the tiny amount of real estate left on his skin, the man is passionate about the art of tattoo. He’s also passionate about leveraging his own success to help others. It’s a family trait, which is why the family business (son and co-founder Austin is also a tattoo artist; wife Becki manages behind-the-scenes; and daughter Courtney does a little of everything) tries to host a quarterly event for charity.

Next up, a 1950s-themed party to benefit the Boulder City location of St. Jude’s Ranch, which cares for neglected and abused children. It’s a “pool” party—in quotes because there’s no pool. Instead there will be kiddie pools set up in the Studio 21 parking lot, as well as a grill full of goodies cooked by the tattoo crew, free drinks by party co-host Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum (including a shaved ice special made in collaboration with SnOw ONO), an original art show, contests for hula, limbo and cheesy beach attire, and a raffle for prizes ranging from booze to barbecues. The very hot Sailor Jerry pin-up girls will be there, too, and partygoers will have a chance to cool them off in the dunk tank.

Charlie favors the traditional tattoo style of the rum’s namesake, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, and says he represents an important slice of the industry and the American aesthetic. Both will be on display at the pool party.

“Maybe we’ll hook up a hose and spray people,” Charlie says, laughing and threatening that some members of his crew might rock Speedos to give the crowd a better view of their body art. But he gets serious when he talks about the local St. Jude’s Ranch being at capacity. This is the second benefit Studio 21 has organized for St. Jude's, with others raising crucial funds for the American Heart Association, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada and Adaptive Action Sports. “We don’t try to make money,” Charlie says. “We just do it to help.”