We’re hiring! We have Gallery Assistant and Tattoo Artist positions available – come join the HBA team! Reach out via our contact form for more info!

About

girl tattooed

Penelope

Penelope, a Long Island New York Native began piercing herself at the age of 13, but quickly decided that she enjoyed piercing others more… partly because she is a bit of a baby, but mostly because enjoys helping people conquer their own fear. She first came to the valley in 1994 to attend Hampshire College, but instead ended up with a piercing apprenticeship in 1995.

Finally the search has come to an end and Penelope will finally be able to bring you the service she loves in a shop that represents the highest level in the industry. Haven body Arts is open and with it comes an amazing staff, a beautiful shop, and a huge selection of the highest quality jewelry the valley has ever seen! HBA is the missing link to how body art should be done and now after the long wait and journey, will be done.

Penelope has now been piercing professionally since 1995 and is one of the first piercers in Mass. to become a member of the Association of Professional Piercers. She attends the APP conference every year in Las Vegas since 2001 where she confers with piercers from all around the world to keep up to date with the latest health and safety information and piercing techniques to make sure your body modification experience is the best it can possibly be. Through the APP, Penelope has been fortunate enough to learn from and befriend some of the most talented and well known piercers in the industry. She travels not only the country, but the world, learning about all aspects of body modification…feel free to ask her about her journeys.

Known for her gentle bedside manner, Penelope is the most experienced piercer in Western Massachusetts with over 50,000 piercings to her name.

She is the only piercer in the valley who is fully trained in all piercings including; male and female genitals and single point piercing. She also has sub-dermal implants that were done by artist and good friend Phish. Feel free to come by and check out her 3-D body modification, because you won’t see it very often in these parts!
Penelope specializes in complex surface work, custom bent multiple ear piercing projects, branding and scarification. She is also the first piercer in Mass. to offer Single point piercings. Penelope was also the first to offer free check ups and piercing maintenance for all piercings, even if she had not done the procedure herself.

She is very involved with the local Legislature and regulations of Body Art in not only Northampton and Amherst but in many of the surrounding Towns. Penelope is well known in the Area for setting the standard for technique, cleanliness and constantly raising the bar as she goes… She has a soft spot for anyone willing to challenge the unknown, if you can dream it, she can make it a reality.
A master pumpkin carver, Penelope is also responsible for opening Haven, the longest running Goth-Industrial club on the east coast, which has been in operation since 1996. www.thehavenclub.com

Meet the Team

Eric Stango

Piercer

Hello, my name is Eric Stango. Body piercing is my passion! I have served the piercing community for going on 24 years as a professional. It is my goal to offer to my clients high end, virtually pain-free piercings in a relaxed environment. This makes an extremely enjoyable experience, as it is intended to be. I encourage my clients to challenge me! I enjoy custom projects, and curations as well as working with the “piercee” to achieve an amazing result! Please come by, say hi, and have a chat.

Josh

Piercer

Hey friends my name Is Josh and I’m so excited to be a part of the Haven Family! I am a transplant here from Wisconsin. I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life so I’m very excited to start this new adventure! I’m Gender Fluid so it really doesn’t matter what pronouns you use and I have been professionally piercing for 6 years, but when you aren’t seeing me poke holes in people you can probably find me playing video games at home because I’m a huge Nerd! Body Modification and Human Suspension are a HUGE part of my life but Some of my other passions and hobbies include Drag and Makeup which I’ve been doing for around 3 years now, I guess you could say Professionally cause back home I was really involved in the local scene with a regular Monthly show! I also traveled around Wisconsin and Minnesota performing as well. Even put together a few shows of my own! I love being able to express myself and just make people happy! I love animals and have a Cat named Brynn and a Quaker Parrot named Ozzy! I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get to know all of you wonderful humans!

Shorty

Tattoo Artist

Hello! My name is Shorty. I’m originally from Havana, Cuba but I was raised in Miami, Florida where I learned the art of tattooing. I’m thrilled that I will soon be relocating to Northampton, MA and joining such a beautiful community! I’m well versed in all styles of tattooing but I really enjoy color work, realism, and geometric designs. I’m honored to be joining the Haven Body Arts team, and I can’t wait to discuss your tattoo ideas with you!

Piercing & Tattoos 

Our dedicated team of artists and piercers is here to provide exceptional service and bring your ideas to life.