Mark your calendars (or draw it on your leg?), but come October 18th, you should be in for Richmond at the Midlothian Doubletree Hotel for the 36th annual Richmond Tattoo and Arts Convention. Richmond had been ground zero for the explosion of interest in tattoo artistry, by sheer volume of tatted-up local residents and the glut of incredible talent we’ve boasted since, well, forever. It’s only fitting that this internationally recognized event continues to shine in our city every year. 2024’s offering brings dozens of the best artists to town – taking flash walk-ins as well as setting appointments, explorations of tattoo culture over history, interesting activations, contests, tattoo gloryhole booths (I’ll explain later,) kid-friendly attractions, a pinup competition, (takes deep breath) but also opportunities to contribute to worthy charities – even seminars and workshops to learn from. There’s even a Karaoke Cage Match!
Essentially the ComiCon for skin art, the RTAC (that’s what I’m calling it from here on out) has been the annual visit from your rowdy, jeans vest-wearing, favorite uncle – an inked Willy Wonka introducing a world of pure imagination that can literally get under your skin. It’s always been a hit for its flair for interactivity and the buzz of new art (and tattoo gun machines). This isn’t a walk around the convention center for a couple laps, eat a churro and leave, kind of thing. There’s so much going on that I can’t (won’t) list it all here. Here is the schedule. You can even sign up for their newsletter here for updates prior to the show.
The event takes place the weekend of October 18, from early Friday to Sunday evening and will be hosted by Jesse Smith of RVA’s own Loose Screw Tattoo shop and arguably, one of the most famous tattoo artists of our time, Ryan Ashley. Both are regularly featured on Paramount+’s Ink Master, with Ashley going on to host a couple spin-offs and return as a regular judge to the original series – to add more icing on this already top-heavy cake. Please check out the links I’ve just highlighted over their names if you’re not familiar with their work. Astounding. Ryan Ashley’s trompe l’oeil-inspired, hyper-realistic jewelry designs defy logic and fascinate. Jesse Smith’s kinetic animation style is a genre unto itself. Here is an exhaustive list of all of the Richmond shops participating in the weekend.
We’re stoked for the Live Art for Charity event slated to run the duration of the convention as well. A good baker’s dozen of the most exciting tattoo artists/muralists will prepare each a 3’x3’ canvas with an original work and auction them – all proceeds going to the Hope v Cancer organization. Help bring a little joy to brave children fighting cancer all over the country.
Back to that gloryhole thing I mentioned earlier. You put your ARM through a hole and an artist gives you a surprise bit of flash art. Your ARM. Just saying, for those that had a seedier, more painful, idea in their head.
See you on the convention floor!
All images courtesy of the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Convention
