Wood Decorative Background
Wood Decorative Background

Billy Eason Era 1

The year of the Bull

Taking the torch from the founders, Billy "The Bull" Eason stepped in to transform the gathering from a local meetup into a legitimate industry event. He moved the convention to its long-time home at the DoubleTree (then the Holiday Inn), giving the show a permanent identity. This era was all about establishing trust and proving that Richmond was serious about tattooing. Under Billy’s leadership, the "Richmond Show" became a must-attend event for artists looking to make their mark on the East Coast.

Billy Eason Era 1

The year of the Bull

Taking the torch from the founders, Billy "The Bull" Eason stepped in to transform the gathering from a local meetup into a legitimate industry event. He moved the convention to its long-time home at the DoubleTree (then the Holiday Inn), giving the show a permanent identity. This era was all about establishing trust and proving that Richmond was serious about tattooing. Under Billy’s leadership, the "Richmond Show" became a must-attend event for artists looking to make their mark on the East Coast.

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1993

1st Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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.

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1994

2nd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1994 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Tony Olivas and Shauna at an after party
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1995

3rd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Bumber sticker of the 1995 richmond tatoo and arts convention
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1996

4th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1996 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Head shot of Nate Drew a future richmond tattoo and arts convention co-owner
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1997

5th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1998

6th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1999

7th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

2000

8th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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 eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1993

1st Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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.

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1994

2nd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1994 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Tony Olivas and Shauna at an after party
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1995

3rd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Bumber sticker of the 1995 richmond tatoo and arts convention
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1996

4th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1996 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Head shot of Nate Drew a future richmond tattoo and arts convention co-owner
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1997

5th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1998

6th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1999

7th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

2000

8th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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 eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1993

1st Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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.

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1994

2nd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1994 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Tony Olivas and Shauna at an after party
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1995

3rd Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Bumber sticker of the 1995 richmond tatoo and arts convention
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1996

4th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Convention artwork for the 1996 richmond tattoo and arts convention
Head shot of Nate Drew a future richmond tattoo and arts convention co-owner
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1997

5th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1998

6th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

1999

7th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig
Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

2000

8th Annual

Illustrative icon of a pinup girl by Dave Koenig

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 eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com

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