International Artists Join Together in Richmond for Largest Live Art for Charity Event to Date

During its 36th year, the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention will welcome 150+ internationally acclaimed tattoo and fine artists, 60+ exhibitors, local food, family-friendly fun, and more all to celebrate and connect the international art community. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to meet and experience celebrities not only tattooing live, but also painting live for the annual Live Art for Charity event.   

“This is always a highlight of the event for us as artists and art collectors ourselves,” says convention co-host Ryan Ashley. “It’s always fun to see the Live Art take shape day after day.”

World renowned artists set up 3-by-3-foot canvases on Friday and begin mapping out their masterpieces. By Sunday, each canvas is filled with a truly one-of-a-kind piece that event attendees can bid on to support Hope vs. Cancer. 

The nonprofit marries art with mission in its pursuit to spread awareness of childhood cancer, raise funds for research and clinical trials, and most importantly, lifting children’s spirits as they are undergoing treatment. That includes creating and distributing temporary tattoos designed by tattoo artists.

“We love that we can bring our artists together to support this unique artist-driven charity,” says convention co-host Jesse Smith. 

Every year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of cancer affect children and Hope vs. Cancer aims to provide to support to as many as possible. With the help of these fine artists, the organization should be able to do just that:

• Chr!s Visions
• Chris Dingwell
• Dan Hazelton
• Danny Beck
• Dave Koenig
• DKANE
• Eleeza
• Genius
• Humble
• Jason Vogt
• Nico Cathcart
• OG Abel
• Sterling Hundley
• Toobz Muir
• Ugonzo

Some of these artists are traveling from around the world like award-winning Bulgarian artist and illustrator Eleeza. Some are known locally including Humble, Chris V!sions, and DKANE, who have art around Richmond, including a collection of murals in Carytown created in collaboration with All City Art Club, founded by Genius. 

“Richmond really is an arts city and we really need the support, so that it can be a known fact worldwide, and hopefully this will be a little glimpse of that,” Chris V!sions said about the May 2024 project, and it’s the same energy he and fellow artists will bring to this element of the Richmond Tattoo Convention.

Artists will begin painting on Friday, October 18, as early as 2:30 p.m. when festival doors open to the public. The online auction will go live on Sunday, October 20 at 12 p.m. and remain open until Sunday, October 27 at 12 p.m. 

To learn more about the Live Art artists participating at this year’s festival click here.