Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike DeHay.
Hi Mike, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
While I’ve always been a weirdo and an artist at heart, I never imagined I’d start a career behind the scenes in the art world. I stumbled into a job right out of college in fine art reproductions at Bentley Global Arts Group in 2011 where I managed print production and did quality assurance for museum-grade reproductions on paper and canvas. That’s where I started building my respect for art and developed an eye for making things look good and professional.
After the pandemic turned everything upside down I started at Metgal art + advisory as their art handler. While I didn’t have direct experience, I was able to shine in a position that seemed to be overlooked thanks to a lifelong relationship with tools, a knack for solving strange problems, and a genuine respect for the work I was handling. I kept receiving glowing feedback from designers and clients about the kind of presence and care I brought to installs. That’s when I realized: maybe this strange mix of skills and respect actually work, and maybe there’s space behind-the-scenes in the art world for someone like me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is surprising how it all falls apart and comes back together. Deaths of friends and family have shaped my life in ways that didn’t become clear until years later. I didn’t realize it at the time but the skills my late father taught me in the garage and yard, like how to repair and keep calm when everything’s broken, ended up steering my whole life. I’m happy now knowing the DIY experience my father shared with me would become the backbone of my career.
While the pandemic was hard for everyone, it gave me time and space to rethink what I wanted to do with my life. I was floating, like many others, but in that weird silence I started paying attention to what actually made me feel useful and fulfilled. Fabrication and building were at the top of that list. Art handling has given me the opportunity to use those skills while also making spaces look good.
The hardest thing so far has been stepping out on my own this past year and facing the fear of failure. Betting on yourself can be scary, but ultimately rewarding. Naturally I’m a jolly guy so I’ve been fortunate to land some amazing gigs through networking and strong relationships.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is called Bat City Hangers. I do art handling and installations. Think: framed works, mirrors, big weird sculptures, delicate family heirlooms, and gallery walls. If it goes on a wall or hangs from a ceiling, I’ll make it look great and make sure it doesn’t fall.
I specialize in being calm, careful, and overprepared. What sets me apart is that I actually care, not just about the piece, but about how it matches the aesthetic of the space and how the client feels seeing the project all together.
Bat City Hangers is small but serious: just me (for now), working all over Austin and beyond. The vibe is professional with a bit of weird, much like the city itself. I’m proud of the reputation I’ve already built with people trusting me in their homes, their galleries, or their chaotic new constructions. That trust means everything. Right now I’m focusing on installation and fabrication, and eventually I’ll offer secure transportation and climate-safe storage.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Keeping with the theme, I’d say one of my favorite memories was helping my dad build a shed in our backyard. He was a triplegic with only one functioning arm, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to take on big projects. It also didn’t stop me from being right there with him, holding tools, steadying boards, and figuring things out as we went.
I think I was around 12 at the time and it was the first time I remember tackling something that felt big, not just in size but in what it meant. I was actually helping, not just sitting by. It wasn’t just about building a shed, rather it was about learning how to solve problems creatively, how to adapt, and how to keep going even when it would’ve been easier not to. That moment stuck with me. It probably shaped more of my life than I realized at the time.
Pricing:
- Flat rate of $45 per framed item, hardware included.
- Big gallery walls can be worked out for less, and large/weird pieces might be a bit more.
- Outside of Travis County incurs a small travel fee of $.75/mile.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batcity_hangers/
Image Credits
I took all the photos after doing the installs.
