Tattoo You

Arts Benicia, a non-profit art center in Benicia, CA, invites artists and tattoo artists to submit artwork related to tattoos for a juried exhibition. The exhibition runs May 21 – June 26, 2022, with juror Kevin B. Chen, a visual artist, curator, and educator serving as Resident Curator at the Fine Arts Gallery at San Francisco State University.

Tattoos play an important role in shaping human culture by visually expressing a culture, defining and refining identities, and providing a language to aid in self-expression. "Tattoo You" seeks to find the "artistry" behind tattoos through drawings, paintings, and photographs that can highlight the unique collaboration between the tattoo artist and the client resulting in a meaningful statement of "I am/was here," "I matter," "I belong." All media accepted; reproductions of actual tattoos will be accepted. 2D works must not exceed 24" on any side. 3D works must not exceed a 36" x 36" footprint. Wall-hanging works must not exceed 30 lbs.

Entry deadline is Friday, March 18, 2022 at 10:59 Pacific Time. Artists may submit up to 6 artworks with one application. A minimum of 3 images must be submitted. Entry fee is $35 for Arts Benicia members or $45 for non-members for the first three entries; additional entries up to six total are $5 each. Artists notified April 2. Shipped artwork received May 3-5; hand-delivered work received May 5-6, 1:00-5:00 pm. Public reception May 21, 4:00-6:00 pm. In-person artwork pick-up June 28-29, 1:00-5:00 pm; shipped artwork return June 28-30. Arts Benicia retains 40% of art sales and mails a check to the artist within 30 days of the exhibition closing date for 60% of the sales price. Contact Jean Purnell at [email protected].