Tattoo enthusiasts and artists flock to Richmond for fresh body art and ink

Maya Earls
Spectrum Editor

The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival will return for the 21st year Nov. 21-23, bringing local and international artists under one roof to present their best tattoo artwork.

Located at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, the festival will feature local artists from Absolute Art Tattoo, Salvation Tattoo Gallery and Hold It Down Tattoo. Celebrity artists such as Big Gus from “Tattoo Nightmares” will also be present. Artists will travel from Brooklyn, New York, Hollywood, California and Seoul, South Korea.

Known as America’s Tattoo Godmother after tattooing for more than 43 years, “Shanghai” Kate Hellenbrand will return to the festival to provide custom artwork. Hellenbrand has managed or owned shops in Hawaii, California and New York City and has worked alongside artists such as “Sailor” Jerry Collins and Ed Hardy. Hellenbrand said the Richmond convention stays true to the roots of tattooing.

“This convention and these people that put the shows on hold true to, I think, the roots of old school tattooing,” Hellenbrand said. “Of tattooing that is an art form, that’s sacred and life­changing for the people who come.”

With many television shows and the popularization of tattoos, Hellenbrand said the art has been compromised in the past five years.

“People have forgotten that it’s really an energy exchange between great artists and their clients,” Hellenbrand said. “The promoters of this show certainly hold true to that philosophy and so do I.”

All of the artists from Absolute Art Tattoo — one of the oldest tattoo shops in Richmond — will be present at the festival to take tattoo requests. Shop manager Ryan Wall said the festival is a large gathering of people who specialize in different styles of tattooing and different styles of tattoo artwork.

“It’s fun. There’s a lot of stuff to look at,” Wall said. “A lot of people bring prints, T-shirts and books for sale so it’s more than just getting tattooed.”

As for the artists who have tattooed for more than 30 years, Hellenbrand said the festival is like a family reunion where everyone from different cities can re­connect. With the idea of a festival tour started by tattoo artists Billy Eason and “Crazy” Ace Daniels in the mid ’80s, Hellenbrand said the family feeling is what brings her back every year.

For clients interested in getting a tattoo at the festival, Wall recommended doing research on the different artists present and having a clear idea in mind.

“I think the biggest mistake people make nowadays is shopping for tattoos the way you would shop for a television,” Wall said. “Looking for the best price … that’s something I would encourage people to stop doing and to start looking further into who is tattooing them and the quality of the work.”

The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival will take place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Nov. 21-23. Single-­day passes are $20 and a three-day laminate is $40. More information about the festival can be found at rvatattoo.com.