During the first weekend in June, Atlanta has become known as the place to be in the tattoo world. That's when Tony Olivas of Sacred Heart Tattoo and Billy Eason of B.I.R.D. Productions Ltd. hold their annual Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival. This year's convention was no exception with a stellar list of tattoo artists including Tom Renshaw, Cap Szumski, Gill Montie, Eric Merrill, Jack Rudy, Guy Aitchison, Joe Capobianco and many more. Due to the success of the festival, Sacred Heart and B.I.R.D. Productions are also planning the first Fall Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival this Oct. 18-20.

The festivities kicked off with a welcome party at Atlanta's Masquerade that included touring punk bands, local metal acts, and a suspension group that hung around until the end of the show.

The evening started off early with the female-fronted pop punk of the N.Y. Rel-X as the tattooers and tattooees gathered around the bar to bond over a few drinks. They were followed by fellow punkers The Krays and The Threats, both of which brought back the working class vibe of the original punk movement. Ghost Story, an Atlanta-based metal band, featuring Rob Thompson of Sacred Heart were followed by headlining act Gargantua -- also featuring local tattooers Shane Morton and Richard Davis -- who rounded out the evening with their brand of good-time rock 'n' roll. The party concluded with a performance by Psychotic Suspensions that featured people hanging from hooks, piercing the flesh of their backs, thighs, ankles, and any other body part durable enough to hold the weight of a human body.

The following day kicked off the festivities at the Holiday Inn Select where tattooers and conventioneers converged to share ideas and sling some ink. The success of this yearly convention is due to two men -- Tony Olivas and Billy Eason. Each year they go out of their way to make the convention experience enjoyable for the artists and the attendees, and the success of their efforts were voiced frequently by many throughout the weekend.

What’s their secret? They attribute it to the constant attention they pay to the artists. Whether it’s serving up a gumbo feast, allowing tattooers to ink until late hours, or just throwing a kick ass party in the hotel suite, Tony and Billy know how to do it right.

"We cater to the artist, we are here for them, whereas at a lot of the shows it's fend for yourself. That's why people want to come back," says Tony.

"We have a waiting list of 35 [artists] wanting to come to our show. But everyone wants to come back," adds Billy.

Although the obvious solution to the waiting list problem would be to expand, perhaps find a different venue, one which could accommodate more artists, Tony and Billy are quick to put the artists best interests first. "Nobody works, artists don't [make money]. We have had the opportunity to go bigger, but with the hotel setup here, it is great," says Tony. Both artists and conventioneers can attest to that. The hotel staff is accommodating and hospitable and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing.

Although they have no immediate plans to change venues, Tony and Billy are, however, planning to host the first Fall Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival to accommodate the growing demand. "The public wants it, the hotel wants it, people get work here [in Atlanta]," says Billy.

"We thought about doing a show in Birmingham, we had sponsors, but when the hotel here found out about it, they suggested we do it here. We ran it by the artists and everyone said yeah," says Tony.

For many of the artists and tattoo enthusiasts, the convention is an opportunity to catch up with old pals, make new ones, and PARTY!

"This is a big family gathering. I mean, 80% of the artists are our personal friends," says Tony.





We caught up with a few of the artists and revelers to get their random thoughts...

Gill Montie -- "I'm having a ball, what a great show. Beer is flowing, girls everywhere. I think I'm turning into a lesbian. Billy and Tony do a great show. The hotel takes care of us, I mean look around, and it's a party."

Freddie Corbin (Temple Tattoo) -- "I am all about the ATL. The convention is cool because you can work 'till 12. Tony did a great job. They know what we need. Little things like being open late, certain freedoms that don't normally exist [at conventions]. We've had good times all the way, incredible. We've been rockin' it. The only thing that could have been better is hookers in the hotel rooms late at night, not just in Tony's room, or at least topless dancers at the booths."

Jack Rudy (Goodtime Charlie's Tattooland) -- "I had great time as usual, another good convention. I have been to them all. I did some good tattoos, as it should be. They run a good show."

Cap Szumski (Timeless Tattoo) -- "This convention rocks every year. #1 in the Southeast."

Phil Colvin (Liberty Tattoo) -- "It's been great, seen everybody. It's been a blast, always a good show."

Tommy Stegall (Black Cat Tattoo and Old School Irons) -- "It's a good show, always good, everybody made money."

Chris Longo (Starlite Tattoo) -- "I’ve been coming to this show for years, and this year I MC for the first time. Always a great show, always a good time."

If you missed the June convention, check out the first Fall Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival on Oct. 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Select on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. Also, check out the 10th Annual Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival on Nov. 22-24 and the the first Spring Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival on May 16-18, 2003. For more information or to register for these upcoming conventions call Sacred Heart at 404-222-8385 or B.I.R.D. Productions at 804-440-4225.


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