Vatican Tattoo Delray Beach threw open the doors at our brand-new location on Saturday, August 22nd. It was our Grand Re-Opening Celebration, and we needed somebody special. So we called up our good friend Hari Seda from Old Ironside Tattoo in Honolulu, Hawaii. He showed up ready to work.

From the moment we opened, the energy was real. Classic cars lined the block and the shop was packed. Hari spent the day doing what he does best – knocking out clean, classic tattoos for everyone who came through.

But if you don’t already know who Hari Seda is, or why having him at our grand re-opening was such a big deal, let us tell you the story.

Who Is Hari Seda?

Hari Seda – also known as Harisumi on Instagram (@hari_seda_tattooer) – is a tattoo artist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Specifically, he works out of Old Ironside Tattoo at 1033 Smith Street in Honolulu’s historic Chinatown. Needless to say, that address carries more tattoo history than most shops could ever dream of.

Hari’s style pulls from multiple traditions. Most notably, his work features bold American Traditional designs. Think saturated color and heavy outlines – the kind that defined tattoo culture in the mid-20th century. In addition, he draws from Japanese-influenced pieces and Hawaiian and Pacific Island culture. Classic eagles, pin-ups, manta rays – his tattoos show confidence and precision built from years of practice at one of the most significant shops on the planet.

More importantly, he’s not just tattooing in a famous building. He’s actively carrying forward a tradition that stretches back nearly a century.

The History of Old Ironside Tattoo and Sailor Jerry

To understand why Hari Seda’s guest spot at Vatican Tattoo was so meaningful, you have to understand where he comes from.

Old Ironside Tattoo sits at the same address where Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins opened his shop in the early 1930s. Ever seen a tattoo of a swallow, a dagger through a heart, or a hula girl? That’s Sailor Jerry’s influence. In short, Collins is one of the founding fathers of American Traditional tattooing. He didn’t just popularize the style – he built the blueprint.

During WWII and beyond, Sailor Jerry tattooed thousands of American servicemen in Honolulu’s Chinatown. His designs were bold, bright, and built to last. On top of that, he pushed the craft forward technically. For example, he was one of the first American tattooers to study under Japanese masters. As a result, he developed better pigments and more advanced shading techniques.

Collins ran the shop for over four decades until his death in 1973. After that, his close friend Mike Malone kept things going for another 25 years. But eventually the space went dark. The building fell into disrepair, cycling through failed businesses and even being used for activities unrelated to tattooing.

However, the address was too important to lose. California tattoo artist Chris Danley stepped in and restored the building to its original condition. Today it operates as Old Ironside Tattoo. Sailor Jerry’s original flash drawings still cover the walls – pin-ups, wartime relics, and bold Americana. As a result, walking in feels like stepping into a living museum of tattoo history.

In other words, that’s where Hari Seda works every day.

Why We Brought Hari to Delray Beach

At Vatican Tattoo, we’ve always respected the roots of this craft. Our studio in Downtown Delray Beach blends a proper, old-school tattoo parlour with a modern fine art gallery. Above all, we take both the work and the culture seriously. So for our grand re-opening at 271 NE 6th Ave, we wanted someone who represents the best of traditional tattooing.

Hari was the obvious call.

After all, an artist from Sailor Jerry’s original shop flying across the Pacific to sit in with us? That doesn’t happen every day. Ultimately, it’s a connection between two shops, two coasts, and a shared love for classic tattoo culture.

Grand Re-Opening Recap: A Day to Remember

Overall, Saturday, August 22nd was everything we wanted it to be and more. Here’s what went down:

Fresh ink all day. Hari set up and got to work early, laying down clean American Traditional pieces all day long. Meanwhile, the line stayed busy from open to close. People came from all over South Florida for a permanent souvenir, and Hari delivered, piece after piece.

Classic cars on the block. Vintage rides lined the street outside the shop, adding to the old-school Americana vibe of the whole event. If you’re into classic iron, it was a show in itself.

Good people everywhere. Our crew, clients, friends, and plenty of new faces packed into the new space. Without a doubt, the energy was right. This is exactly what we built this shop for – great tattoos and good people in a space that feels like home.

A brand-new space. For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, our new location is a historic 1950s building just four blocks from where we spent the last decade. At 1,000 square feet, it’s everything Vatican Tattoo is about – clean, classic, and built for the best work possible.

Visit Vatican Tattoo Delray Beach

Our grand re-opening party is in the books, but the new shop is just getting started. So whether you’ve been with us for years or you’re looking for your first piece, come check out the new space.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our Grand Re-Opening one for the books. This is just the beginning.