Where it Began
In 2003, Mel McCready, had a dream to incorporate her love of graffiti and art into an all elements hip hop and street concept store called the Yard.
As the founder and owner of the yard, She contributed to the growth of Durban’s and South Africa’s graffiti scene.
The Yard stocked the largest range of graffiti orientated aerosol art supplies in KwaZulu-Natal. This included many international brands such as Montana gold, Montana black, Montana White, Montana Hardcore, MTN 94, Belton, Molotow, Kobra and Loop spray paint, aerosol art supplies and graffiti accessories such as nozzles, markers and graffiti books.
The Yard supported and hosted many events and jams, including "Bling Free". A monthly event which was held at Albert Park in Durban. The aim of Bling Free was to host an event where not only like minded people could express themselves through the elements of hip hop, but street children of Durban could join and learn the six foundational elements of hip hop: DJing (aural), MCing (oral), Beatboxing (vocal), Breakdancing (physical), Graffiti (visual), and Fashions in a safe space.
Bling Free soon evolved and was taken over on a larger scale by life check and red bull.
Over the years, The yard developed and changed its main focus and became Crak Urban Gallery, a brand new space that contained a gallery and retail space for local artists to exhibit artwork.
Crak Urban Gallery offered the same aerosol art supplies as The Yard, and introduced collectible vinyl toys, books, DVD’s, cd’s magazines, limited edition sneakers, and both local international street brands to our store.
Crak Urban Gallery offered brands such as Nike, Adidas, K-swiss, JB, Reebok, criminal, DC clothing, Vans Clothing and Anonymis clothing.
In 2010, Crak Urban Gallery underwent another change, and altered our primary focus from art on cement and concrete to permanent art on skin.
With the changes, our studio underwent a makeover and a name change, by adding tattoos and piercing services into our repertoire and we became who we are today, STEP UP TATTOO, PIERCING AND PERMANENT MAKE UP STUDIO.
Step Up’s tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up artists are all trained, certified, OSHA COMPLIANT, and have all bloodbourne pathogen certifications in place.
Step Up are stockists of
Jewellery
Piercing Jewellery
International and Local clothing brands
Headwear
Limited Edition sneakers
Skateboard accessories
Collectible vinyl toys,
Graffiti Books,
Local CD’s
We provide the following services:
Tattoos
Hand-poked tattoos
Piercings
Dermal Piercings
Permanent Make Up
Microblading
Skin Rejuvenation
Mole/Skin tag Removal
Scalp Micro Repigmentation
We strive to keep Mel’s Legacy alive, she was and always will be the heart and soul of Step Up.
As the founder and owner of the yard, She contributed to the growth of Durban’s and South Africa’s graffiti scene.
The Yard stocked the largest range of graffiti orientated aerosol art supplies in KwaZulu-Natal. This included many international brands such as Montana gold, Montana black, Montana White, Montana Hardcore, MTN 94, Belton, Molotow, Kobra and Loop spray paint, aerosol art supplies and graffiti accessories such as nozzles, markers and graffiti books.
The Yard supported and hosted many events and jams, including "Bling Free". A monthly event which was held at Albert Park in Durban. The aim of Bling Free was to host an event where not only like minded people could express themselves through the elements of hip hop, but street children of Durban could join and learn the six foundational elements of hip hop: DJing (aural), MCing (oral), Beatboxing (vocal), Breakdancing (physical), Graffiti (visual), and Fashions in a safe space.
Bling Free soon evolved and was taken over on a larger scale by life check and red bull.
Over the years, The yard developed and changed its main focus and became Crak Urban Gallery, a brand new space that contained a gallery and retail space for local artists to exhibit artwork.
Crak Urban Gallery offered the same aerosol art supplies as The Yard, and introduced collectible vinyl toys, books, DVD’s, cd’s magazines, limited edition sneakers, and both local international street brands to our store.
Crak Urban Gallery offered brands such as Nike, Adidas, K-swiss, JB, Reebok, criminal, DC clothing, Vans Clothing and Anonymis clothing.
In 2010, Crak Urban Gallery underwent another change, and altered our primary focus from art on cement and concrete to permanent art on skin.
With the changes, our studio underwent a makeover and a name change, by adding tattoos and piercing services into our repertoire and we became who we are today, STEP UP TATTOO, PIERCING AND PERMANENT MAKE UP STUDIO.
Step Up’s tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up artists are all trained, certified, OSHA COMPLIANT, and have all bloodbourne pathogen certifications in place.
Step Up are stockists of
Jewellery
Piercing Jewellery
International and Local clothing brands
Headwear
Limited Edition sneakers
Skateboard accessories
Collectible vinyl toys,
Graffiti Books,
Local CD’s
We provide the following services:
Tattoos
Hand-poked tattoos
Piercings
Dermal Piercings
Permanent Make Up
Microblading
Skin Rejuvenation
Mole/Skin tag Removal
Scalp Micro Repigmentation
We strive to keep Mel’s Legacy alive, she was and always will be the heart and soul of Step Up.