Current Era
All About The Art
Now, under Jesse Smith's leadership, the convention has entered its most ambitious and expansive phase yet. The focus has expanded beyond just tattooing to celebrate Art in all its forms, offering education, live painting, and family fun for all ages. By honoring the past while pushing artistic boundaries, this era is redefining what a tattoo convention can be. It's not just a trade show fulll of tattoo artists; we are a cultural destination for the next generation of artists.
Current Era
All About The Art
Now, under Jesse Smith's leadership, the convention has entered its most ambitious and expansive phase yet. The focus has expanded beyond just tattooing to celebrate Art in all its forms, offering education, live painting, and family fun for all ages. By honoring the past while pushing artistic boundaries, this era is redefining what a tattoo convention can be. It's not just a trade show fulll of tattoo artists; we are a cultural destination for the next generation of artists.
2023
35th Year Celebration!
Jesse Smith invited JD Crowe to co-host the Convention. Crowe attended the convention back in 1988 adding to our history's 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 OGs: 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.
2024
Jesse Smith Teams Up With Ryan Ashley
Jesse Smith invited Ryan Ashley to co-host the 2024 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, and she brought with her an impressive lineup of talented tattoo artists. Together, Jesse and Ryan elevated the artistry at the show to new heights. This was also the inaugural year of the new 'Get What You Get' and 'Get What You Hit' booths. Additionally, the educational side of the convention made a return with seminars taught by Deanna James, Dave Koenig, Russ Abbott, Gunnar, and Bobby Johnson. We also featured a stunning chalk art optical illusion created by Ivann Garcia.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Durb Morrison, Russ Abbott,
James & Anthony Tex, Deanna James, DJ Tambe, Bobby Johnson, Curtis Burgess, Kevin Laroy, Bob Jones, Anthony Michaels, Gian Karle, Angel Rose, Cleen Rock One, Deshay Jones, Alena Wedderburn, Dave Paulo, Edgar Marquez, Melody Mitchell, Owen Paulls, Steve Tefft, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Hope vs. Cancer this year, with a fantastic range of fine artists participating, including Eleeza Ivanova, OG Abel, Sterling Hundley, Danny Beck, Dave Koenig, and more.
The official convention artwork was created by Dave Koenig.
2025
Leveling Up The Live Art
Jesse Smith and Ryan Ashley teamed up again to throw another fantastic year. The convention's Live Art for Charity event was expanded with new indoor sections. Ivan Garcia created a huge interactive mural featuring the owl and snake from this year's logo. Anthony Tex and Alena Wedderburn worked tirelessly on a collaborative, 3-day back piece that won best of show. This year Jesse brought back the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Academy. A gathering space for artists to teach and inspire with presenters: Yomico, Timmy B, Robby Latos, Greg Simkins, and Kevin Llewellyn.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Yomico, James and Anthony Tex, Timmy B, DJ Tambe, Jesse Rix,
Bobby Johnson, Kevin Laroy, Gian Karle, Nikki Simpson, Alena Wedderburn, Bob Jones, Dave Paulo, Curtis Burgess, Flamure, Freddy Albrighton, Seth Holmes, Hans Pico, Evin Pfaff, Darwin Enriquez, Zhimpa Moreno, Nick Baxter, Kate Erso, Max Murphy, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Studio Two Three and had noteworthy artists in attendance such as Greg 'CRAOLA' Simkins, Sterling Hundley, Peter Mohrbacher, Kevin Llewellyn, Gary Villarreal, Vanessa Lemen, Eliza Ivanova and more.
The official convention artwork was created 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
2023
35th Year Celebration!
Jesse Smith invited JD Crowe to co-host the Convention. Crowe attended the convention back in 1988 adding to our history's 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 OGs: 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.
2024
Jesse Smith Teams Up With Ryan Ashley
Jesse Smith invited Ryan Ashley to co-host the 2024 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, and she brought with her an impressive lineup of talented tattoo artists. Together, Jesse and Ryan elevated the artistry at the show to new heights. This was also the inaugural year of the new 'Get What You Get' and 'Get What You Hit' booths. Additionally, the educational side of the convention made a return with seminars taught by Deanna James, Dave Koenig, Russ Abbott, Gunnar, and Bobby Johnson. We also featured a stunning chalk art optical illusion created by Ivann Garcia.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Durb Morrison, Russ Abbott,
James & Anthony Tex, Deanna James, DJ Tambe, Bobby Johnson, Curtis Burgess, Kevin Laroy, Bob Jones, Anthony Michaels, Gian Karle, Angel Rose, Cleen Rock One, Deshay Jones, Alena Wedderburn, Dave Paulo, Edgar Marquez, Melody Mitchell, Owen Paulls, Steve Tefft, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Hope vs. Cancer this year, with a fantastic range of fine artists participating, including Eleeza Ivanova, OG Abel, Sterling Hundley, Danny Beck, Dave Koenig, and more.
The official convention artwork was created by Dave Koenig.
2025
Leveling Up The Live Art
Jesse Smith and Ryan Ashley teamed up again to throw another fantastic year. The convention's Live Art for Charity event was expanded with new indoor sections. Ivan Garcia created a huge interactive mural featuring the owl and snake from this year's logo. Anthony Tex and Alena Wedderburn worked tirelessly on a collaborative, 3-day back piece that won best of show. This year Jesse brought back the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Academy. A gathering space for artists to teach and inspire with presenters: Yomico, Timmy B, Robby Latos, Greg Simkins, and Kevin Llewellyn.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Yomico, James and Anthony Tex, Timmy B, DJ Tambe, Jesse Rix,
Bobby Johnson, Kevin Laroy, Gian Karle, Nikki Simpson, Alena Wedderburn, Bob Jones, Dave Paulo, Curtis Burgess, Flamure, Freddy Albrighton, Seth Holmes, Hans Pico, Evin Pfaff, Darwin Enriquez, Zhimpa Moreno, Nick Baxter, Kate Erso, Max Murphy, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Studio Two Three and had noteworthy artists in attendance such as Greg 'CRAOLA' Simkins, Sterling Hundley, Peter Mohrbacher, Kevin Llewellyn, Gary Villarreal, Vanessa Lemen, Eliza Ivanova and more.
The official convention artwork was created 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
2023
35th Year Celebration!
Jesse Smith invited JD Crowe to co-host the Convention. Crowe attended the convention back in 1988 adding to our history's 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 OGs: 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.
2024
Jesse Smith Teams Up With Ryan Ashley
Jesse Smith invited Ryan Ashley to co-host the 2024 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, and she brought with her an impressive lineup of talented tattoo artists. Together, Jesse and Ryan elevated the artistry at the show to new heights. This was also the inaugural year of the new 'Get What You Get' and 'Get What You Hit' booths. Additionally, the educational side of the convention made a return with seminars taught by Deanna James, Dave Koenig, Russ Abbott, Gunnar, and Bobby Johnson. We also featured a stunning chalk art optical illusion created by Ivann Garcia.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Durb Morrison, Russ Abbott,
James & Anthony Tex, Deanna James, DJ Tambe, Bobby Johnson, Curtis Burgess, Kevin Laroy, Bob Jones, Anthony Michaels, Gian Karle, Angel Rose, Cleen Rock One, Deshay Jones, Alena Wedderburn, Dave Paulo, Edgar Marquez, Melody Mitchell, Owen Paulls, Steve Tefft, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Hope vs. Cancer this year, with a fantastic range of fine artists participating, including Eleeza Ivanova, OG Abel, Sterling Hundley, Danny Beck, Dave Koenig, and more.
The official convention artwork was created by Dave Koenig.
2025
Leveling Up The Live Art
Jesse Smith and Ryan Ashley teamed up again to throw another fantastic year. The convention's Live Art for Charity event was expanded with new indoor sections. Ivan Garcia created a huge interactive mural featuring the owl and snake from this year's logo. Anthony Tex and Alena Wedderburn worked tirelessly on a collaborative, 3-day back piece that won best of show. This year Jesse brought back the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Academy. A gathering space for artists to teach and inspire with presenters: Yomico, Timmy B, Robby Latos, Greg Simkins, and Kevin Llewellyn.
Notable tattoo artists in attendance included Yomico, James and Anthony Tex, Timmy B, DJ Tambe, Jesse Rix,
Bobby Johnson, Kevin Laroy, Gian Karle, Nikki Simpson, Alena Wedderburn, Bob Jones, Dave Paulo, Curtis Burgess, Flamure, Freddy Albrighton, Seth Holmes, Hans Pico, Evin Pfaff, Darwin Enriquez, Zhimpa Moreno, Nick Baxter, Kate Erso, Max Murphy, and many more.
Live Art for Charity partnered with Studio Two Three and had noteworthy artists in attendance such as Greg 'CRAOLA' Simkins, Sterling Hundley, Peter Mohrbacher, Kevin Llewellyn, Gary Villarreal, Vanessa Lemen, Eliza Ivanova and more.
The official convention artwork was created 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
