River City Tattoo & Art Gallery at the Landing is both.

The newest business at Downtown's riverfront retail and entertainment center opened last week.

It's a venture partnering Mike Kobo, an artist who works in myriad media including skin, and Jason Albertelli, who opened his Dos Gatos cocktail lounge near the Florida Theatre three years ago.

Albertelli said opening the business also is a way to help revitalize the neighborhood.

"I'm very passionate about Downtown. It's the epicenter for art and we wanted to bring something hip to the Landing," he said.

Kobo has been creating art and tattoos for 29 years in places like Los Angeles and Berlin.

He's joined at River City by Mike Howd, who has been a graphic and tattoo artist for 15 years. They tattoo in the back of the shop and exhibit their art in the front of the space near Aly Cat and the Visit Jacksonville Welcome Center.

Albertelli said having a gallery of Kobo and Howd's work in the front of the shop is part of the ambiance.

"We want to create an approachable atmosphere. I'm in the customer service industry and we understand that being tattooed is about the experience. Our goal is to create a piece of great art," he said.

River City Tattoo & Art Gallery is open noon-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday and Sunday from noon until the last tattoo is finished, Albertelli said.

Call (904) 503-3058 for details.

mmarbut@baileypub.com

@drmaxdowntown

(904) 356-2466