Art, tattoos to be on display at South Point

By Becky Bosshart

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 | 4:19 p.m.

Perhaps you don't have the guts for a bicep tattoo of a snake-entwined dagger spearing a heart.

But you could hang the design on your wall.

Stylized urban art for the skin and the home will be on display Jan. 23 and 24 at the first Art & Ink Tattoo Festival at the South Point Hotel & Casino.

Organizer Kirk Greenquist said the festival could attract up to 8,000 visitors, making it one of the largest alternative art and tattoo gatherings in Las Vegas. About 50 tattoo, artist and accessory vendors from Southern California and Southern Nevada are scheduled to attend.

Paul Smith, president of sponsor On the Edge Promotions, said this show isn't all about the inking, which is tattooing. More traditional media are becoming vital for the tattoo artists, because it attracts attention outside their typical market and it's another revenue source.

"They are getting recognized as being artists," Smith said. "It's becoming mainstream, and sometimes they are becoming as popular as rock stars."

Inkers will compete against each other in a variety of contests. A three-member panel will select the best tribal, portrait, sleeve and back tattoos.

Some limited two-for-one admission tickets will be available by Jan. 23 on the artandinkfestival.com Web site, Smith said.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or [email protected].