Inaugural state Tattoo Fiesta kicks off Friday

The inaugural Arkansas Tattoo Fiesta Convention begins Friday at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa with “some of the nation’s best tattoo artists” in attendance, according to event organizer Dale Sisneros.

The convention will take place in the Crystal Ballroom and will feature artists exhibiting their tattoos and other artwork, on-site tattooing, tattoo competitions and live entertainment. Sponsors include tattoo supply companies, including Cheyenne Professional Tattoo Equipment and the Eternal Ink.

Sisneros, along with fellow organizers

Kevin Baca, Brian Everett, and Emily Stewart, put together a similar event, the Albuquerque Tattoo Fiesta, annually. It sees over 8,000 visitors each year, and was the inspiration for this weekend’s event, Sisneros said.

“I’ve actually been doing a show just like this in Albuquerque, N.M., for nine years, and a lady there ended up at a hotel out here and asked us to come out here and see if we could make something work,” he said.

The Arkansas Tattoo Fiesta Convention has taken nearly a year of planning, about a dozen people to organize the event and has a hopeful attendance near the 2,000 mark, Sisneros said.

“If I can get 2,000 people through the door, I’d be happy to come back again next year,” he said.

There will be over 70 booths with artists from across the nation. Hot Springs will be represented by artists from Pale Horse Tattoo, Spa City Ink and Redbeard’s Living Canvas in their own booths.

“It connects a lot of people in the tattoo industry,” Sisneros said.

Sisneros considers the competitions to be a highlight of the convention.

“The contests are really cool. The artists bring their own models with them, and when it comes to the contest, they take all their clothes off, and their whole bodies are tattooed with humongous, amazing tattoos that you normally wouldn’t see. It really shows you how far tattooing can be taken,” he said.

Several tattoo artists will also be offering tattoos on-site during the convention to those in attendance.

“There are a lot of tattoo collectors that go, because they’re looking for these really sought-out tattooers, but it’s a good first tattoo experience, too. It’s a good introduction, because they are all exceptionally good tattooers, and it’s regulated by the Arkansas Board of Health. You can go and shop around and find an artist you like,” Sisneros said.

“Sometimes walking into a tattoo shop can be a little intimidating,” he said, but called the convention a “very welcoming environment.”

Sisneros also recommended the convention to all art lovers since many of the artists will be selling goods, such as carvings and paintings.

“We’re hoping everybody goes. It’s open to all. I’m excited for it. I hope everything goes good. It’s the first one, but it could become something nice.”

Convention doors open to the public at 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a Foul Play Cabaret performance at 7 p.m. Friday and a performance from local band, No Fronts, on Saturday. Doors close at 11 p.m.

Doors open at 11 a.m. Sunday and close at 7 p.m. Tattoo contests will be held each day of the convention. Daily admission is

$20, and a three-day pass costs

$3o. Visit https://arkansastattoofiesta.com for more information.