rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ 4/9--Conventions
Lani Teshima-Miller
Last-modified: March 25, 1995
Posting-frequency: Monthly
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The rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ is broken up into 9 parts:
1/9--Introduction
2/9--Getting a tattoo
3/9--Sanitation
4/9--Conventions <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
5/9--Artist list
6/9--Care of new tattoos
7/9--General care/removal
8/9--Misc. info
9/9--Bibliography
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Subject: WHAT THIS FILE CONTAINS
This file is structured as a traditional FAQ in the form of
questions and answers. Questions answered in this file:
Rec.arts.bodyart FAQ Part 4/9: Tattoo conventions
1. Tattoo Conventions: What are they all about?
2. What types of conventions are available?
3. Why would I want to attend?
4. What's the format?
5. What's the atmosphere?
6. What kind of tattoo contests are there?
7. Can I actually get a tattoo at a convention?
8. What else can I find at these conventions?
9. When and where are upcoming conventions?
Information in this section provided by
jme...@VAX2.Winona.MSUS.EDU
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Subject: COPYRIGHT AND DISSEMINATION
I have detailed my copyright and dissemination policies in Part 1
of the Tattoo FAQ. Please refer to it for more information.
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Subject: 1. TATTOO CONVENTIONS: WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT?
If you want to meet others with tattoos, or would like to learn
more about tattoos, tattoo conventions may be the quickest way to
learn a *lot* and get exposed to things you normally wouldn't.
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Subject: 2. WHAT TYPES OF CONVENTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
The size and scope of conventions vary, and are sponsored by
different types of organizations. International and national
gatherings are usually sponsored by groups such as National
Tattoo Supply and the National Tattoo Tour, while regional and
local shows are often sponsored by tattoo shops.
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Subject: 3. WHY WOULD I WANT TO ATTEND?
Philadelphia Eddie is quoted in a news article as saying, "...the
hoopla, the roar of the crowd, the smell of the antiseptic, the
blinking lights, the stories around the bars, the smiling faces
of my colleagues and friend--that is why I go to tattoo
conventions.
"Some people go to enter their tattoos and maybe win a small
prize. Some go to show off what they have accomplished in their
never-ending drive to be better in their chosen profession. Some
go to tattoo and earn a few dollars. Some go to sell trinkets.
The curious come to see what is going on. Some go to get away
from everyday stress. Some go looking for romance, and on and
on."
Artists attend to enhance professional reputations, do work on
old clients and develop new ones, exchange ideas with other
artists, and see what's new in the world of tattooing.
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Subject: 4. WHAT'S THE FORMAT?
While local shows may be only for one day, regional events are 2
or 3 days long, and international and national conventions may
last 4 days. For these larger conventions, the first 2 days are
usually reserved for registrants (fees are $35-$45). The last two
days are open to the public for a single-day admission of around
$10. If you plan do more than just attend the booths, you may
want to pay for the whole weekend.
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Subject: 5. WHAT'S THE ATMOSPHERE?
The first two days tend to be more relaxed and less hurried when
they're closed to the public (the first 2 days at a recent San
Francisco convention had about 850 registrants). Depending on the
location of the convention and how it is advertised locally, you
can expect a mob scene when the doors open to the public. Fire
marshals were called in during the March 1993 San Diego
convention, when the crowd swelled to about 4,000 and people were
turned away at the door.
The convention floor is something akin to attending a rock
concert: A continuous parade of people who want to see, and be
seen. Many people dress outrageously to show off their work.
Expect to see LOTS of ink. Piercing has become a big part of the
tattoo scene, so you'll also see a great variety of body pierces.
Some conventions have booths where piercing supplies and services
are available. Note however, that the National Tattoo Association
has a strict code against body piercings and does not condone the
display of facial or body piercings at their conventions (rather
tough considering I saw many booth-workers with them!).
Don't let looks fool you. At first you might just see a sea of
bikers and leathers...but the atmosphere is very comfortable--
most people are very friendly, open-minded and accepting. Keep an
open mind when you go; meet people, exchange stories and above
all, have a great time.
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Subject: 6. WHAT KIND OF TATTOO CONTESTS ARE THERE?
At the larger conventions, contests are held during the first two
days and are limited to registrants, while at the smaller ones,
they're open to everyone. Examples of categories: best black &
gray, most unusual, best tribal, best portrait, most realistic,
best overall-tattooed male, best overall-tattooed female, best
chest-back piece, best traditional piece, and best small piece.
Judging is done by a panel of artists and experts, or by audience
ballot or applause. Artists and experts are better-equipped to
base decisions on the rendering of the art, while audience-judged
contests often turn into "popularity contests," heavily
influenced by the name of the artist and the contestants'
personality/physical attractiveness. In an effort to please
everybody, some conventions hold contests by both popular vote as
well as a panel of judges.
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Subject: 7. CAN I ACTUALLY GET A TATTOO AT A CONVENTION?
Larger shows may have as many as 50 booths, where artists and
shops from all over the world tattoo clients and sell trinkets,
t-shirts, hats, postcards and tattoo memorabilia. Try to make
arrangements with the artists several months ahead if you want
them to work on you at the larger conventions, especially if
they're well known. You should be able to get some work done even
if you don't plan ahead, and some artists will also work out of
their rooms to avoid the cost of renting booth space.
Caveat emptor: An artist told me that some artists have been
known to increase their prices during conventions to pay for
their travel expenses and booth rental fees (which can run
$500!). Your safest bet is to make prior arrangements with the
artist so you and your artist don't feel rushed.
Meet and see the work of famous artists. This will be your chance
to see some artists whose work you have only seen in the
magazines.
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Subject: 8. WHAT ELSE CAN I FIND AT THESE CONVENTIONS?
You can pick up books and magazines for your tattoo book library
from various booths (or be like me and collect business cards--
how Japanese of me!). Many booths have little freebies like pens
and bumper stickers. Some have their own booths to disseminate
literature, and sell books and magazines.
Many of the major tattoo magazines (and there are quite a few
these days) set up portable studios in and around the convention
center for people to get themselves photographed (no residual).
Convention sponsors may contract a video production group to
produce a tape of the show. They might set up a booth where
registrants can have their work taped.
In recent years, seminars geared towards artists have been added
at larger conventions, with topics such as "Creative Coloring",
Care and Tuning your Machine", "Spit-Shading - Watercolor",
"Tribal Tattooing", "Preventing Disease Transmission in
Tattooing"
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Subject: 9. WHEN AND WHERE ARE UPCOMING CONVENTIONS?
--*1995*
--March 16-19: National Tattoo Association Tattoo Convention.
(contact NTA for more information). Nashville, TN
--April 7-9: 4th Annual Down East Tattoo Show, Bangor, ME.
Bangor Elks Club, 108 Odlin Rd. Info: (207) 989-6017; Hotel:
800-914-0101 (Holiday Inn).
--October 12-15: Tattoo Tour USA, Seattle, WA. Early Registration
fee: $35. Red Lion Inn Seattle (NOTE: This is *not* in Seattle
but in the outlying town of Seatac near the airport).
Info: 602/750-8081; Hotel: 206/246-8600
*Official R.a.b.bit Munch/1995 Lydia Awards.*
Email <tes...@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu> for information.
--*1996*
--January 18-21: 20th Anniversary Reunion Convention, Houston, TX
Sheraton Astrodome Hotel. Lyle Tuttle & Dave Yurkew, Sr.
commemorate 20th anniversary of first tattoo convention.
Registration fee: $50. Hotel rates from $65+: 800/627-6461.
Discounts on Continental thro travel agency: 800/468-7022.
Info:
612/825-6161/fax 612/825-1545/email Dave Sr. at 92...@tccn.com.
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This ends "rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ Part 4/9: Tattoo
Conventions." This should be followed by "rec.arts.bodyart:
Tattoo FAQ 5/9--Artist List."
--
Lani Teshima-Miller (tes...@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.edu) "Sea Hare" o/ /_/_/
UH School of Library & Info Studies. "Whatever the cost of our o|<0_0>------*
libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant \=^-| |_| |
nation." -Walter Cronkite [R.a.b.bit--FAQ Maintainer: "Think Ink!"] \_B}\_B}