History of the Event

Dive into the rich and vibrant history of the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, a prestigious event that has celebrated the artistry and skill of countless renowned tattoo artists over the years. From its inception, this convention has been a canvas for artistic innovation and a gathering place for the most talented and influential figures in the tattoo community. Join us as we explore the legacy and evolution of this iconic convention, where every year adds a new chapter to its storied past.
2023

35th Year Celebration!

Jesse Smith invites JD Crowe to co-host this year's Convention. Crowe attended the convention back in 1988 adding to our histories pre-Billy Eason era. Together they brought the Richmond convention’s 35th Anniversary! Ryan Ashley returned as a headliner. Arguably the most famous tattoo artist in the world at the time, Richmond was the only convention that she attended that year.

Crowe's participation infused the event with some heavy-hitting OG's: Inksmith & Rogers, Jack Rudy, Paul Booth, Corey Miller, 'Good Time Charlie' Cartwright, Gill 'The Drill' Montie, Juan Puente, Robert Hernandez, Dana Brunson & Shawn Barber. It was the perfect combination of old school and today's fast evolving tattoo scene: Cleen Rock One, Kevin Laroy, Josh Payne, Steve Tefft, Sara Fabel, Dave Koenig and Sarah Miller.

The Live Arts for Charity portion of the event partners up with the Richmond SPCA, raising $10,000 to benefit them!

Official convention Artwork by Dave Koenig. JD Crowe redesigned the 1989 artwork to commemorate 35 years in Richmond.
2022

After a 2-year hiatus,

due to the Covid Pandemic when the world shut down, the Richmond convention returns! Melody Mitchell, from Black Ink Crew NYC headlines the show. Unfortunately 2022 was overshadowed by the deaths of Tony Olivas and Kenny Brown. Tony was one of the founding fathers for the Richmond convention and Kenny was Jesse's partner.

The first ever Karaoke Cage Match created by Jesse Smith & Chris Trew was a hit with the crowds. And Richmond's own, Chris Adler, from Lamb of God is one of the Celebrity Judges.

Notable attendees: Cleen Rock One, Stefano Alcantara, Derek Noble, Tom Beasley, Megan Jean Morris, Cervena Fox, Amy Mymouse, Andy Chambers, Bryan Sanchez, Mike Skiver, Carlos Rojas, Jaded Moon, James Vaughn, Josh Payne, Joshua Bowers, Kiljun, Lalo Yunda, Melody Mitchell, Parry Chotipradit, Made Rich, and more! 

Convention Artwork by Dave Koenig.
2019

Ryan Ashley Headlines

At the time she is known most for being the first woman to win Ink Master. By now Jesse Smith & Kenny Brown had caught their stride putting on the convention. They invited Cervena Fox, international burlesque and fire show performer, to perform.

 
The first “Best of VA” competition is held. Nominations took place online, online votes happened for “People’s Choice” and a selected panel of judges decided on “Judge’s Choice”-
Judge’s Choice: Andy Chambers
People’s Choice: Jamie Martin
 
The 2nd Richmond Tattoo & Arts Academy takes place with Nick Baxter, Sarah Miller, Ryan Ashley, Frank LaNatra, Esao Andrews, OG Abel, Sterling Hundley & Jon Wayshak as presenters.
 
Convention Artwork by Dave Koenig.
2018

Megan Massacre Headlines

In the spirit of the original meetings of the tattoo minds that took place at the Koger Center in the 70s-80s, Jesse Smith created the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Academy. He invited some of the top names currently killing it at the time: Phil Garcia, Dave Koenig, Jose Perez, Gia Rose. Alongside super talented Fine artists: Gary Villarreal & Eliza Ivanova. 

The Street Art Festival evolves into Live Art for Charity. Invited mural artists finish their weekend-long paintings which are then put up for auction. The proceeds of which got donated to the charity: Art on Wheels, an organization that helps the elderly, disabled and chronically ill members of the community without access by providing a creative learning and therapeutic environment in which to help heal and empower them. 

Notable attendees: Tony Olivas & Bob Tyrrell return. Cleen Rock One, Derek Noble, Big Island Mike, Mike Skiver, Sara Fabel, Anthony Michaels, James Vaughn, Halo, Big Jaz, Duffy Fortner, Melody Mitchell, Lalo Yunda, Amy Mymouse, Joshua Bowers, Josh Payne, St. Marq, Richard Smith, Nate Drew and many more!

Convention Artwork by Dave Koenig.

2017

Tatu Baby Headlines

She makes history as our first woman headliner. Tatu Baby was in high demand by the public having been on InkMaster, voted as favorite by the public, and had cameo appearances on InkMaster Angels & the Black Ink Crew.

Airsex Competition makes its debut and is a Laugh-out-loud hit with the attending public. The 2nd Miss Pinup Competition is held.
Notable attendees: Kelly Dotty, JD Crowe, Phil Garcia, Scott Sterling, Duffy Fortner, James Vaughn, Miguel del Cuadro, Gunnar, Joshua Bowers, Mike Skiver, Bryan Sanchez, Andy Chambers, Dave Koenig, Melody Mitchell, Lalo Yunda, Sketchy Lawyer, Rodney Raines, Mike Devries, Jon Mesa, Chris Blinston and many more!
Convention Artwork by Dave Koenig.
2016

Passing of the Torch

Nate Drew & CJ Starkey pass the torch on to Jesse Smith & Kenny Brown. They were grateful for the honor and excitedly accepted 5 months before the convention was set. It took a couple months to get organized and they were able to pull it off in an incredible 3 months time with hard work! The two referred to themselves as the Master Blaster team and they decided to bring the event back to its original venue: the infamous DoubleTree Hotel-Koger Center.

 
The event expands outside to include a Street Art Festival component so that they could bring in artists from other disciplines. In addition, the first ever Mrs PinUp RVA competition crowns Bonnie De-Lovely.
 
Notable Attendees: Nate Drew, Dave Koenig, Cleen Rock One, Joe Capobianco, Phil Garcia, Megan Jean Morris, James Vaughn, Rodney Raines, Anthony Michaels, Sarah Miller, Mike Skiver, St. Marq, Sketchy Lawyer, Duffy Fortner, Miguel Del Cuadro, Hamilton Glass, Matt Lively and many more!
 
Convention Artwork by Jesse Smith & Kenny Brown.
2015

End of an Era

Nate Drew & CJ Starkey’s last year. Kenny Brown and the Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival crew helped organize the show.

Notable Attendees: Oliver Peck, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Shanghai Kate, Jess Yen, Chris Longo, Jesse Smith, Mark Longenecker, Rodney Raines, Mike Skiver and many more!  
Convention Artwork by Kenny Brown.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2014

Nevermore

Notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Scott Sterling, Doc Dog, Tony Olivas, Mike Skiver, Shahn Anderson, James Vaughn, Jesse Mule, Rodney Raines and so many more!  

Convention Artwork by Rodney Raines.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2013

Big Slick

Some notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Bob Tyrrell, Scott Sterling, Shanghai Kate Hildebrant, Doc Dog, Big Gus, Marshall Bennett, Chris Longo, Jess Yen, James Vaughn & Big Jaz

Convention Artwork signed by KEETSST.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2012

Year of the Dragon

Notable attendees: Doc Dog, Oliver Peck, Mike Skiver, James Vaughn, Rodney Raines, Jon Mesa, Shahn Anderson, Jesse Smith, Jason Stephan,  and so many more!

Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2011

A New Era & the Doc Dog Roast

After the passing of Billy ‘The Bull’ Eason, Nate Drew & CJ Starkey take over the The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival and move it to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Crazy Philadelphia Eddie receives the first ever BILLY EASON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The DOC DOG ROAST had an impressive roster of tattoo icons: Lyle Tuttle, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Frank Mills, Oliver Peck, Bob Tyrrell, Terry ‘Tramp’ Welker & Mike Parsons

RIP TOM PAINTER 
1953 – 2011
A staple at the convention the second of 3 generations of tattooers passes.
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno.
2010

Billy Eason's Last Show

8th Annual Richmond Summer Show

RIP BILLY ‘THE BULL’ EASON 
1939 – 2010
Billy Eason, co-owner of the
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
passes away on November 23rd,
2010, just 2 days after the 18th
Annual Show.
RIP DAVID ‘CRAZY ACE’ DANIELS
1951 – 2010
That same year we lost another convention forefather. Crazy Ace took over the convention once Grandpa Groovy stepped down in 1989. He helped the Richmond tattoo scene coalesce by bringing in the likes of Ed Hardy, Lyle Tuttle and Gill Montie to do guest spots at his shop, Creative Designs. He was a catalyst for mainstreaming tattoos in Richmond, which helped grow with a new breed of really good, young apprentices who were all VCU art students.
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2009

17th Annual

7th Annual Richmond Summer Show

Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2008

16th Annual

6th Annual Richmond Summer Show

 
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
 
Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com
2007

15th Annual

5th Annual Richmond Summer Show

Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2006

14th Annual

4th Annual Richmond Summer Show

 
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2005

13th Annual

3rd Annual Richmond Summer Show

Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2004

12th Annual

2nd Annual Richmond Summer Show

In this year, Billy also held a tattoo convention in Orange County, CA called the Rock of Ages.

Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2003

11th Annual

Due to overwhelming interest from tattoo artists wanting to work the annual fall show, Billy decided to host the 1st Annual Richmond Summer Show.

Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

2002

10th Annual

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2001

9th Annual

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2000

8th Annual

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1999

7th Annual

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1998

6th Annual

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1997

5th Annual

Convention Artwork by Chris O’Donnell & Timothy Hoyer
Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com
1996

4th Annual

Convention Artwork by Nate Drew & Timothy Hoyer

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1995

3rd Annual

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1994

2nd Annual

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1993

Billy Eason & Tony Olivas

of B.I.R.D. PRODUCTION throw the First Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival.  

The Convention was held at the Koger Center from 1993-2010.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to  marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com 

1989

Crazy Ace & Lady Host

David ‘Crazy Ace’ Daniels & L. Lady Daniels keep it going after Grandpa Groovy steps down. Their headquarters was their shop, Creative Designs Tattoo Studio, originally named ‘Richmond Tattoo Studio. Crazy Ace went on to later open many ‘Way Cool Tattoos’ in the US and Canada. 

The Convention was held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center. Crazy Ace contracted Richmond’s own GWAR to perform.

Convention Artwork by Mike “Rollo” Malone & Jack Rudy. T-shirts printed and distributed by Offical Tattoo Brand owned by JD Crowe.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

1988

Grandpa Groovy, Sandi & Tattoo Life Magazine

Grandpa Groovy was one of the men responsible for removing stigmas about tattoos by helping to bring about tattoo regulations to Richmond. In 1988, he founded the International Tattoo Artists Guild that set forth a code of ethics for the professional tattoo artists. 

Held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center. Attended by the legendary Paul Rogers, Randy Adams, Gil Montie, Sailor Moses and Lyle Tuttle. This was the last year that Paul Rodgers tattooed.

Convention Poster Artwork by Patty Kelley. T-shirts Artwork by Jack Rudy & JD Crowe.

Have any photos, edit suggestions and/or info about this year? Please email them to marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

How it started

There were tattoo parties before…

but nothing like the first-ever (organized tattoo convention) World Tattoo Convention took place in Houston, Texas. On January 24–25, 1976 Dave Yurkew and Lyle Tuttle partnered for the first tattoo convention, inviting guys with names like Sailor West, Mr. Tramp, Charlie Potter, and Crazy Ace to ply their trade. 130 artists showed up to meet other artists and ply their craft. Bringing together two generations of tattoo history. Tuttle was quoted as saying that this was, “The event that changed tattooing forever”. 

From this first tattoo convention in the US in 1976 to the first Richmond, VA tattoo convetnion in1988, there had been less than 25 tattoo conventions nationwide. Today on any given weekend you could probably find about 25 tattoo conventions going on worldwide!

Got History?

We want to hear from you!

This timeline is meant to be a living document of this event’s rich history in Richmond, Virginia. It has been made possible with the help of many of you. If you have any additional info, stories, photos, memorabilia to add, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at marketing@richmondtattooconvention.com

This year's festival starts in

Become an Exbihitor

Artist Submission

Artist Contact Form

Artist Submission

Become a Volunteer

(All volunteers will receive a Free Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention T-Shirt for helping out)
(For every hour that you Volunteer at the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, Loose Screw Tattoo will give you free tattoo time. On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Morning and Monday Morning you will receive $15 of FREE TATTOO TIME for every hour worked and on Friday Evening, Saturday and Sunday you will receive $10 of FREE TATTOO TIME per every hour worked)
(For every hour that you Volunteer to help the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, Loose Screw Tattoo will give you free tattoo time. You will receive $10 of FREE TATTOO TIME per every hour worked)

Book Your Hotel!

Book your Room at the Doubletree (SATURDAY SOLD OUT)

We’re taking over the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond – Midlothian and we're sharing our convention discount with you! Stay the night, enjoy the full convention experience, but most importantly, party safe knowing you can have a drink or two and don’t have to drive.
(We will do our best to accommodate, however due to availability we cannot guarantee that we will be able to put you on your preferred floor)
(We will do our best to accommodate, however due to availability we cannot guarantee that we will be able to put you in your preferred room type. If we cannot get your preferred room, we will let you know immediately)
Each night is $193.80 + 3% processing fee. (Cancellations: 24 hours notice prior to check-in date is required. Cancellations after that point are subject to be charged a total of one night's stay. There is a $50 early check-out fee for any reservation that vacates the room early)
Saturday Night rooms are sold out. If you need a room for Saturday use the link on our website to book with the neighboring hotel the Residence Inn.

Official Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention Merchandise

(If you have purchased multiple T-Shirts then please list any additional sizes below.)
(If you have purchased multiple T-Shirts then please list any additional sizes below.)
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