Welcome to Big

In 2024, I began to really think about a dear friend who works in a tattoo parlor in Los Angeles. Watching how that space allowed her to blossom and thrive as an artist—while also providing a community of people on the same trajectory— I wondered why the business model of a parlour seemed limited to tattoo artists and hair stylists. For customers, spaces like these offer the expectation that one can ask for exactly what they want, in the style of artists they admire, while fostering a direct relationship with the maker. Big aims to serve customs and flash, while bringing fellowship to the artists who work here.

Mark Runac describes himself simply as a man who studied and taught physical education. When asked how he became involved in supporting artists, he says he just got into real estate. What he considers a simple story misses key details that sustained a rich history of Richmond craft makers for over three decades—providing affordable space and mentorship to jewelers, gemologists, art educators, gallerists, stained-glass artisans, and leather workers. He leads each relationship with honesty and a transparent desire to do good. With intentional humility—he asked not to be mentioned—his influence on artists in the city has remained largely quiet. Yet the story of Big begins with Mark, and with a business called Artware Jewelers in 1994.

That year, Mark hired a recent VCUarts graduate, Glen Amey, to use his building on 18th Street to run a jewelry shop, supplying some startup materials and the space. Glen described himself at the time as having “seven rings that were eleven dollars each.” Mark met this with encouragement and faith, committed to helping build a successful business. Artware Jewelers grew into a staple of Shockoe Bottom for more than twenty years. In 2025, at 76 years old, Mark did the same for me. Glen now runs Journeyman’s Adventure Co. next door to Big Artware Jewelers, and remnants of his earlier work can still be found throughout the shop.