Previous Story
Int’l tattoo festival gets underway
|
Posted on Oct 23 2008
Mark Tairsacan had been planning to get a warrior tattoo since last year. Yesterday, as several onlookers watched, Tairscan became one of the first people to get inked at the 2nd annual Saipan International Tatu & Arts Festival yesterday.
Artists from around the world are taking part in the event, lasting through Saturday.
“I just turned 18, so now I want to go crazy,” Caty Hiney said. “If you do it here you can come back every day and get another one.”
She already has one tattoo on her lower stomach but wants to get a spider coming out of her neck, she said.
“I’m looking around today and I’ll come back,” she added.
Duane Frosburg said he will get at least one tattoo during the festival. Frosburg, who attended the event last year, said he’s interested in learning more about the Japanese art.
Dragon Edong, the organizer of the festival, designed many of Frosburg’s tattoos and now Frosburg said he wants to “mix it up a little bit.”
The one complaint Frosburg had was the size of the ballroom where the festival is being held.
“I think they need a bigger place,” he said. “The place should be a hell of a lot bigger.”
Tattoo artist Martin Morrissey traveled from London to participate in the festival. When asked why he is taking part, he said, “Why not? I’ve never been here. I never heard of [Saipan].”
He said he tries to attend as many tattoo events as possible. “It’s social,” he said.
Artists from Hong Kong, France, Japan, the U.S. mainland, Thailand, and the Philippines are also in attendance. Edong said he can’t predict how many people will be in attendance during the week, but expects a large turnout today and tomorrow.
The $10 entrance fee allows for a free drink and entertainment from the Walden Family. Children under 10 can get in free with a parent.
The festival is being held at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa through Sunday.
