Effective Arts Profession Providers hosts Constructing a Profession as a Tattoo Artist, educates inventive college students on tattoo careers

Excited chatter stuffed the Kendra Scott Heart on Friday afternoon as college students patiently waited with paper in hand for native tattoo artists to disclose their data. 

Organized by the Effective Arts Profession Providers, Constructing a Profession as a Tattoo Artist featured artists Tina Poe, Imani Tatum and UT alum Nat Powers. The artists answered a wide range of questions from college students and panel host Isabel Tweraser, profession providers coordinator. In the course of the occasion, the artists mentioned the ins and outs of a tattoo profession, items of recommendation and extra. 

Proudly owning Nana’s Prayers, one of many solely Black-owned tattoo studios in Austin, Tatum introduced in an Instagram put up on Feb. 7 that she was shifting her store out of Austin in Could due to systemic racism driving out Black residents. Talking on the panel about her experiences as a tattoo artist, Tatum stated her means to enter the white, male-dominated trade relied on discovering a neighborhood with different Black artists. 

“It’s actually necessary to recollect the previous saying, ‘It’s not about what . It’s about who ,” Tatum stated. “(Earlier than) assembly (my mentor) Clay, I attempted to get into the trade, (and) I used to be met with a number of noes. Except I met a Black man who was keen to show me, I wouldn’t be within the trade. It’s necessary to seek out somebody you establish with.” 

Poe, proprietor of Moon Tattoo Studio, stated she needs to encourage artists to channel their creativity right into a profession. Moreover, Poe spoke on her particular person experiences getting into the sphere as an individual of shade in a white, male-dominated trade. 

“After I was youthful, I beloved seeing tattoos, however I by no means thought … I might go into (the trade) as a result of I by no means noticed any girls or folks of shade in tattoo retailers after I was in my youthful teenagers,” Poe stated. 

Although he’s not presently trying to grow to be a tattoo artist, Neal Flynn, an artwork schooling graduate scholar, stated he attended the occasion to listen to the recommendation of execs in case he decides to pursue the profession in a while. 

“After I was in undergrad, there was no point out of utilizing your expertise or your abilities to go on and tattoo,” Flynn stated. “But it surely ended up being the truth for a few of the folks in my program.” 

Whereas she’s not concerned with a tattoo profession, Ima Esiere, an arts and leisure applied sciences senior, stated she accompanied an good friend who needs to enter the trade however feels not sure of easy methods to get began.

“When (a profession) doesn’t have a level for it or isn’t talked about a lot, there are such a lot of jobs you don’t know exist,” Esiere stated. “Individuals know that tattoo artists exist, however it’s nonetheless a reminder (that) you don’t need to do what you went to highschool for. Issues can translate.” 

Taking part in talking occasions and portfolio critiques, Poe stated she hopes that by speaking to college students she will empower them to make the most of their inventive abilities and passions as potential professions. 

“I actually wish to encourage individuals who wish to be artists and wish to be inventive to know that there are issues they’ll do with that creativity as profession paths,” Poe stated. “I assumed (talking) can be a good way to do this.”