Spit Shade // opening party for Mpls Tattoo Arts Convention

Start: Jan. 5, 2018, 1 a.m.

End: Jan. 5, 2018, 5 a.m.

Event at Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention

An exhibit of local & national tattoo artists curated by Lindsee Boyer and Nate Vincent Szklarski. Opening night doubles as official opening for the Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention.

Official MPLS Tattoo Arts Convention Opener:
Thursday January 4th, 7-11pm // $5 w/ DJ No Pants

Exhibition Runs through January 20th:
FREE open hours Thursdays - Saturdays 1-7pm

FEATURED ARTISTS: Adam Underwood, Alex Gregory, Alex Morse, Andrew Travis, Anthony Elliott II, Bleach, Bradley Trotter, Cody Goins, Charlie Forbes, Chris Chapman, Chris Dobransky, Chris Krapohl, Collin Rigsby, Daniel Jimenez, David Kvam,Dave Tieman, Emmanuel Mendoza, Frog, Gabby Maravelas, Garrett Rautio, Isaac Brethauer, J. Adams, Jack Gribble, Jamie Thomas, Jason Walstrom, Jeremiah Kanne, Jeremy Calverley, Jesse Heike, Jessie McNally, Joseph Christensen, Joshua Strand, Julie Freeland, Kyle Mack,Kyle Skyer, Lindsee Bee, Marina Berry, Marissa Wunders, Poohki, Matt Zins, Max VK, Mike Grant, Nate Vincent Szklarski, Nick Hams, Reid Gosmire, Richard Hudson, Ryan Frank, Ryan "Opie" Mueller, Sampson Hurley, Simeon Nelson, Spencer Hodgson, Taylor Dees, Troy Timple, Wayne Evans.

An art form with an over 1,000 year history, tattooing is slowly losing the rebellion stigma that it previously held, with roughly one in five Americans now claiming one. Through changing social norms powered in part by the online era and a new generation of tattoo consumers, the art form is slowly gaining acknowledgement within fine-art communities. Partnering with local Minneapolis tattoo artists Lindsee Boyer of Bee Ink and Nate Vincent Szklarski of Saint Sabrina’s, Gamut Gallery presents Spit Shade, an exhibit of original artwork created by tattoo artists.

The initial idea for Spit Shade was to create an exhibition space reminiscent of a tattoo shop waiting area covered with flash designs. While affinity for those classic designs is in some ways a prerequisite for this line of work, most tattoo artists find their way into tattooing through an early interest in the arts and continue their individual art practice outside the shop. As planning progressed, the curators decided to broaden the scope of the exhibit and encourage tattoo artists to explore other media and inspirations. As stated by Nate, “as a tattooer I know that I love to create body art for people, but at the end of the day nothing feels more passionate than putting down the machine and picking up a brush and creating something that ultimately is mine from start to finish.” While many of the artworks exhibited will retain the spirit of tattoo art, the organizers are excited to see what experiments and innovations will be created.

Spit Shade provides an opportunity to not only bring the robust and varied Minnesota tattoo community together, but also to include artists from other states who will be coming to town for the annual Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention. Opening night of the exhibit will double as the official opening party for the convention and will feature DJ No Pants, playing music from the likes of the Kinks and other 1960’s, & 70’s bands & hip-hop hits from the 90’s