2010 West Coast Tattoo Culture Show
byThe 2010 West Coast Tattoo Culture Show is coming to the Langley Events Centre July 9th to 11th. In conjunction with The King of Customs the show will offer 25,000sq feet of custom bike & vehicle displays, entertainment, on-site tattooing, and competitions.
Artists on location this year include Dave Shore from Dragon Tattoo, Rob Thomas from Ritual Tattoo, John the Dutchman from Dutchman Tattoo, and Clint from Craftsman Tattoo. The entertainment will feature everything from tattoo contests (of all varieties) to a pin-up pageant for the ladies.
The show also supports a cause and this year all proceeds from poster and t-shirt sales will be supporting The Central Okanagan Hospice Association. (COHA).
Tickets are $20 and VIP weekend passes (including admission to an after-party on Saturday) are $45. You can follow updates about the show on Facebook.
I have two 4-packs of tickets to give away, valid any day of the show. If you would like to win these tickets, please leave a comment about how you feel about tattoo culture. This could be a link to a photo of your own tattoo, experiences you’ve had, your favourite design or artist, etc.
I will draw two winners (who will each get a 4-pack) Friday June 25th at 9:00am. I will also run this contest (for more tickets) the first week of July.
Update The winners of the first packs of tickets are Darren L and Nikki, have fun!
Update I have two more 4-packs of tickets to give away to the show this weekend. Please enter to win using the same way, by leaving a comment about tattoo culture and I’ll draw two winners Thursday evening.
Update The winners of the next 4-packs are Gregg and Erin, have fun at the show!
23 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I think tatoo culture has its place. I used to want one but honestly, I’d probably be to scared to go through with it! My Best Friend has many tattoos and would LOVE this so it would be great to win and take her
I only have one; but i have been wanting another for the longest time. Being first nations and a love for butterflies, hummingbirds and roses … i am trying to figure out a way to incorporate all three. I might just get an artist to do a drawing for me. I am looking forward to the show. I went to the one in Abby last year and I am totally intrigued. I’d love to go again and would be awesome to win tickets … btw I have family comming in from Saskatchewan and this would be the icing on the cake! … take care
I love tattoo culture =) I only have a couple small ones, but I envy some of the time and effort put into creating some of the elaborate pieces that become the permanent suit for one’s vessel. Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what is thought of as “art” to one, may be subjective to another, but you cannot deny the creativity, and talent that goes behind creating each and every artist. Would be awesome to explore some of the experience to be seen at this event.
Here’s a tiny vid link of me at LA Ink, in West Hollywood:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruise_violette/3793622310/in/set-72157622189076019/
I’ve watched my coworkers (mostly women) and a few of my students too, get tattoos over the years. I’m interested in getting something small and unique myself but have yet to find something that moves me. Looking for inspiration! The show sounds like fun – perfect for summer vacation!
Last year i got a tattoo at the show with my boyfriend, who has recently passed away. It was the best experience and the place has so many different people you get such a sense of whats out there and different styles. I love that it expresses that of somones personality and who they are. I would take my boyfriends parents they got there first tattoo memorials for their son an they are hooked they cant wait to get more it would be so awesome for them to see what its all about !
I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for sometime. I feel that it is an expression of a thought and inspiration. As much as I watch the Tattoo shows on TV I am interested in attending a show like this to see it in action and connect with the different artists to see who matches what I am looking to get. I realize that a tattoo is forever so I want to make sure that I do it right the first time!
I feel that tattoo culture is like many other cultures: their are those who cherish it, those who despise or don’t understand it, and those who could care less. I have always found it interesting as the meanings behind different tattoos and the varying quality of work intrigues me. Why someone would pay a cheap 20 bucks for a mediocre tattoo dumbfounds i’m not quite sure but I can understand those who pay to preserve quality and personal artwork on their bodies.
In short, I think it;s a fascinating culture if not ALWAYS for the right reasons. Not to mention I have a few myself and so far I’ve no regrets.
Being a bit older, tattoos were not in fashion when I was in my 20’s. In my 30’s I met and married my wife, who has tattoos from before they were popular; she was involved with a more “rebel” crowd when younger. I have been torn since… I could get a tattoo or two to be in sync with her, but on the other hand they have now become must have accessories for everyone and that actually turns me off from them; I’d rather be the rebel and not get one!
She, btw, has not gotten one this century, partially for the same reason.
I would like to go to the show to get some insight into how to expand my current tattoo. While I have extensive tattoos and am looking to get more, I don’t really know anything about the culture and would love to go and have a look. Some feedback from others with tattoos would also be nice. thanks!
I believe the culture has many faces to it. Those who jump on the trend, people using a tattoo to symbolize or honor someone and others who would like to use the art and their body as a form of expression.
Mine will be to honor several people very close to me as a piece of art.
Tattoos have become an art form in its own right nowadays. It is great to have the opportunity to see the work of and talk with the artists at shows like this. It’s also been brought to the mainstream with some of the reality shows on tv. I have 3 tattoos, having started in my late teens. I’ve been hoping to add a fourth and this show would give me some great ideas!
I made the appointment for my first tattoo the day after I stayed up all night to be with my grandma as she passed. I went small, and got the word ‘protector’ spelled out in Gaelic on my foot – my grandma was small, but fiercely protective of her family. My second, which is still a work in progress, takes up a good portion of my back, and I am forever searching for the perfect artist to complete it. I’d love the chance to check out the artists at the show.
Tattoo culture, however mainstream it may be going, still involves an intensely personal art. I have (many) piercings because I think they’re pretty – I have tattoos because they’re a beautiful expression of meaning, if done well. Just as good music or theatre doesn’t depreciate by virtue of getting popular, neither does good body art.
I’d like to go to the show to see the new art work. I have some large pieces that were done by Dave shore about 15 years ago and they still look as fresh as the day I got them. I am also looking for new ideas for one more tattoo.
I currently have 7 tattoos and plan to get more…soon. I’m pleased that tattoo culture has become more acceptable in the workplace. I work in communications and for the most part, my tattoos are covered. However, when they do make an appearance, the feedback has always been positive.
I’m a Gen X’er and look forward to the day when us tattooed folk are all in our 70’s! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656586140#!/photo.php?pid=6040105&id=656586140
Tattoo culture is so much more than image. I got my first tattoo done of a treble clef that kinda looks like a swan on what would be my late mothers 60th bday. I would love to get more.
I don’t have tattoo, not yet, but I love so much the idea, I really want get a tiny monkey and one tiny banana on my arm.
I have a tattoo parlor in Brazil, I am a piercer and I love this wonderfull free world.
My tattoos represent the path of my life and my belief system. The images were captured exactly as I wanted them to be. I would simply tell my friend Dave Shore at Dragon tattoos what I wanted them to mean and he designed them and applied them perfectly.
We are all born relatively the same. Throughout life we find ways to set us apart and make us differant, so we can be not only differant from eachother but an individual through our own right.
Tattoos and piercings give us this unbelievable chance to transform ourselves as individuals and create this phyisical image of who we truley are or want to be. I have a number of tattoos and wehn i get questioned on why i would do this to myself, i remind these narrow minded people that this is an expression of me phyisically it will never change my heart or my soul at least not in a negative light.
i love attending these shows and getting to see the amazing things people are doing.
I’m in the process of planning some extensive tattoos, I already have 4 and have skin that is itching to be covered in beautiful art. I just need to find that artist who can draw for me what I dream…it’s such an amazing process.
Tattoos for me are about my beliefs, memories, passions, loves….the things I want to tell the world, things I strive to achieve, where I’ve been, what I’ve experienced, and in many ways, they are a way to show myself and my individuality to everyone in an incredibly fantastic way.
I have 7 tattoos and I love everyone of them! I had my first tattoo when I was 17. I thought about it for a solid year because I new it was going to be forever, With that being said I do have a tattoo that wasn’t nearly as well thought out haha! On the inside of my left arm in large black ink from my armpit to my elbow i have my exgirl friends name=^) I think it bothers other people more then it bothers me. It’s like any other scar on my body… It’s healed. I have Script that runs shoulder to shoulder. An affirmation. It says “Whatevers Necessary.” Sometimes ya have a bad day and you need to do whatevers necessary to turn it around. I’m bored of writing now but you get the idea… everyone of my tattoos has a story that goes with it.
ps I’d be covered if it wasn’t so painful lol
I don’t have any tattoos yet because I want to make sure my first (and future) tattoos aren’t gotten on a whim. I can’t wait!
I don’t have any tattoos. In my generation, I’m always the odd one out by not having a tattoo! I think most people just get tattoos for the sake of tattoos, and then think up (or wait for) a reason to get one. And why need a reason? I love tattoos that are just amazing artwork a person connects with emotionally or that reflects unique aspects of their personality.
I’d love to go to the show this weekend and get some inspiration for my first tattoo which I am planning on getting for no good reason at all!
i think tattoos are a work of art and a way to express yourself. i love them. i do have 4 tattoos and looking to get a few (ok maybe more than a few) more. i also think that you should tattoos that actually mean something to you and not just cause its a fashion at that time but thats just my thought.