Meet this week's guest editor, Jesse Smith! When it comes to art and Richmond, Jesse is often found at the center of the conversation. From his beginnings at VCU as an art student to leading the36th Annual Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, he’s been an advocate for creatives in the River City and across the globe. In Carytown, his tattoo studio, Loose Screw Tattoo, is home to 12 diverse tattoo artists and host to a rotating list of international celebrity artists. From his iconic mural outside of Taboo to one of his freshest pieces in Carytown in partnership with All City Art Club, his murals are part of the city’s colorful character. Jesse is also an international mural artist, appeared on seasons two and seven of Ink Master. Jesse has a formidable following, two decades of tattoo industry expertise, and is a relentless innovator in the art world.
Take it away, Jesse ...
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention
You can find me at the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention October 18-20. The 3-day event brings together world renowned artists from a variety of disciplines for a weekend of connection, creation, and community. Family-friendly fun is infused with Live Art for Charity, interactive comedy shows, Ink Master celebrity experiences, local food, after parties, and more.
My family loves Maymont’s Garden Glow. The annual creative adventure runs from October 16 to November 10, with new light sculptures along the expanded Kinsale Glow Path and the Japanese Garden! It’s a great chance to enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family.
The Live Art for Charity event during the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention features 15 global artists! Supply RVA will provide materials and set up 3-by-3-foot canvases on Friday for the artists to begin mapping out their masterpieces.
By Sunday, each canvas will be filled with a truly one-of-a-kind piece that event attendees can bid on to support Hope vs. Cancer. The nonprofit marries art with mission in its pursuit to spread awareness of childhood cancer, raise funds for research and clinical trials, and most importantly, lift children’s spirits as they are undergoing treatment. The paintings will be available for auction online after the convention ends on Sunday, October 20.
Through a stroke of luck and RVA charm, Jesse and Carbon Leaf's bassist Jon Markel have become close friends and collaborators. In fact, the tattoos adorning Jon's arms were all created by Jesse!
Carbon Leaf, the Virginia-based indie-rock band known for their fusion of folk and rock, just released its first full-length album in a decade, “Time Is The Playground.” Jon recently enlisted Jesse to design a custom pickguard for his new Lakeland bass, which he’s taking on tour to promote the new album.
