Legacy Hair creates ‘art that grows’

You cannot help but do a double take when Chance Boe passes by. He is almost 5 and has already had his share of critics. First he had long hair and needed to tell others that he was, indeed, a boy. Then it was a mohawk, which was transformed into a work of art that draws both compliments and disbelief.

“One woman at Pig Out in the Park asked, ‘Why did you do that to him,’ ” said his mother, Brittney Setzer, of Chance’s tall mohawk with flames and the skull and cross bones buzzed into the back and sides of his head.

Dana Tague, owner of Legacy Hair Extension and Salon Ltd, 8617 N. Division St., created the masterpiece. The flames are similar to the airbrushed designs seen on hot rods and motorcycles.

“It’s fun for kids,” said Tague, “It’s a form of expression that’s easily removed. It’s art that grows.”

It also teaches kids how to deal with reactions from others. While the style is unusual, it is not so different from other people’s forms of expression, such as high, pointy shoes or preachy bumper stickers.

Setzer took Chance to Tague for something different. The flames were a given, but the skull and cross bones were Chance’s idea. Initially he wanted Captain Jack Sparrow but settled on the pirate symbol. He thinks it’s cool.

Tague knows style. He has been in the industry for more than 30 years. He has a long history as a “hair artist,” traveling all over the world to learn as well as teach. He also does platform work, creating hairstyles on stage.

He even started his own hair product line called Choppers (he likes bikes), which he sells at the shop.

When Chance starts kindergarten next year, he may or may not keep the cut. He has a lot of options … grow, cut, grow, cut. Cool fun is really what it’s all about.