Permanent art: New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta welcomes artists from around the state, world
Jul. 10—It is all about the ink when it comes to the New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta.
More than 400 tattoo artists will set up temporary shop and welcome thousands of enthusiasts looking to get tatted by renowned and upcoming artists from around the state and the globe. Artists who work in various styles of tattoo art will be part of the event that takes place from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 12; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Isleta Resort & Casino, 11000 Broadway Blvd. SE.
"I mean all year long, that's kind of what I do, is travel around to do different conventions and all over the world," said Bael Sisneros, organizer of the fiesta and owner of Por Vida Tattoo. "I meet them and kind of just network with them. And at this point, our convention has become real renowned throughout the world. So it's really easy to get them on board right now. It's more of putting them on a waiting list."
It is the 12th year for the event. This year's featured artists include Freddy Negrete, who is known for his black-and-gray tattoo style; Oliver Peck from the TV reality show "Ink Master"; Jack Rudy, who is known for his realistic portraits and single needle fine line work; Tommy Montoya of the TV reality shows "NY Ink" and "Tattoo Redo"; and Jose Lopez, who is known for his Chicano black and gray style.
Attendees can view the portfolios of participating artists and discuss the tattoo they are interested in getting with their artist of choice. Prices for work done varies with each artist. People interested in getting tattooed are encouraged to visit on Friday to make an appointment with a specific artist. There are three-day weekend passes available. A list of participating artists can be found at newmexicotattoofiesta.com.
"The website will tell you what artists will be there, and then we always say to reach out to their shop, call their shop or reach out to them through Instagram," Sisneros said. "But a lot of them take walk-ups, so it is just first-come, first-served at the show."
In addition to the tattoo action, there will be 25 local vendors, four food trucks and live entertainment at the event. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists also will be hosting its 2024 annual conference at the NM Tattoo Fiesta. Eventgoers will have the opportunity to meet its board members and active community that fights to protect and safeguard the tattoo industry.
Tattoo contests will take place throughout the event. A "Best of Day" contest will take place at 9 p.m. on Friday. Contestants can sign up from 5-8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, contests will be held for various styles: watercolor, skull, lettering, fine line, floral, geo/mandala, Japanese, portrait (human face/body), blackwork, small color, medium color and large color tattoos. Sign up for Saturday's contests is from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Judging and awards will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Best of Day at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, contests continue for different styles: ornamental (decorative, filigree), New Mexico-inspired (Route 66, state), animal, small black and gray, medium black and gray, large black and gray, American traditional, religious, arm sleeve, chest, leg sleeve, back, overall female and overall male. Sunday's contest signup will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Judging and awards begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Best of Day at 6:30 p.m. There will be Best of Show trophies given out for black and gray, and color.
Eventgoers interested in participating in the contests can sign up at the contest table. There is a $10 entry fee. All tattoos must be healed to enter the contests, with the exception of the Best of Day and Best of Show contests.
Sisneros and his Por Vida artists will be participating in the NM Tattoo Fiesta. He opened Por Vida in 2006. The business, located 500 Fourth St. SW, offers a tattoo parlor, a tattoo supply store and a coffee shop.
Sisneros, who specializes in the black and gray tattoo style, said he became a tattoo artist by accident.
"It wasn't like I decided to do it as a career," Sisneros said. "I started doing it more as a hobby and it just kind of ended up being my career. I started really young. I started when I was 21 years old. I'm 41 now. It's kind of developed into a career, but I never went out and pursued it like that."