If the body is a temple, who says it can’t be a heavily decorated temple?
The city of Asheville will host its second Tattoo Arts Convention at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Nov. 5-7.
Hosted by Villain Arts, the family-friendly convention will feature special guests like Al Fliction and Holli Marie, who have both competed on Ink Master, plenty of local and outside artists, vendors, entertainment and a seminar on the loss and reconstruction of one man’s full-body tattoo suit.
It will have something for everyone, including juggling and magic for children! Be a canvas for over 300 industry professionals to apply their creativity to your temple.
Local artists include Emily Payne from Zen Ink in Asheville. Payne’s work emphasizes fine line work and detail while drawing inspiration from techniques seen in centuries-old etchings as well as old masters such as Albrecht Dürer and Francisco Goya. Payne is particularly interested in mythological pieces as well as pieces inspired by nature or manga art.
Entertainment will include magic, tattoo contests, a suspension show and Captain & Maybelle, a sideshow entertainment duo that has been featured on America’s Got Talent as well as in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Dr. Carl Blasphemy (a pseudonym), who handles management, hosting, media relations and scheduling for Villain Arts said that Villain Arts hosts the largest tattoo convention in the world.
“We’re the only touring tattoo company like we are,” said Blasphemy over the phone. “It’s a place for artists and vendors within the tattoo and art lifestyle to all come together, share artwork, ideas with each other and with the public.”
This convention is “… a gathering and celebration of the art and the artists and the people. It’s a chance for them to be exposed to artists that they would not normally be exposed to,” said Blasphemy. Conventions also tend to be cheaper than getting ink in an actual studio.
The convention will be open 2 p.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for one day or $40 for a three-day pass and are sold only at the door. Kids 12 and under will get free admission.
In an effort to provide a safer environment, all attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. Vaccinated attendees must have received the final dose of their vaccine at least two weeks prior to the event. COVID-19 tests must be taken within 72 hours and have a negative result if unvaccinated. Masks are required unless actively eating or drinking.
The last Tattoo Arts Convention in Asheville was April 2019. Blasphemy is expecting roughly 10,000-15,000 people to attend this year’s convention.
According to a 2019 Ipsos poll, roughly 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo.
