Alberta Association of Tattoo Artists and Body Piercers

[Tigurius]

From several artists on facebook:

*_Let’s Make a Trade_*
With the recent events and thus scrutiny the Tattoo Industry has incurred, an initiative is underway to modify and represent this industry from a brand new perspective. The creation of the Alberta Association of Tattoo Artists and Body Piercers is currently in the developmental stage and conceived by those committed to the body modification industry. It is the intent of this body to legitimize, represent, and propel the growth of the tattoo and piercing arts by distinguishing them as Trades. This type of organization is invaluable to the future of our industry for it serves to establish a positive image of these arts. It is the desired objective of this representative body to formalize apprenticeship training, introduce educational resources for both the public and artists, to encourage the implementation and regulation of safety standards, and to develop industry guidelines that better represent the body modification arts. When fully realized, the vision of this initiative is to form an alliance of industry professionals that represent and support the body modification industry, working for and with the artists. This type of cooperative effort can foster the growth and development of the body modification arts and formally represent its members while simultaneously promoting its artists and unifying the industry.

For further information on the proposed Alberta Association of Tattoo Artists and Body Piercers please contact Cassandra Bencz at safetattoo@gmail.com

[Tigurius]

I am extremely excited about this!! Especially if the government made it mandatory to be licenced to tattoo like they have it in Nevada. However allow the industry to regulate itself and have it's own health and bylaw inspection officers paid by the government.

[Patrick]

This is great and exciting news!!!!!!
Remember you saw it on edmontoninked.com!!

[Tigurius]

Actually it would have been facebook ... hahahaha

[Administrator]

A quote from Scott Campbell of Atomic Zombie:

My name is Scott Campbell and I am an owner/operator of Atomic Zombie custom tattoo studio here in Edmonton.I have been tattooing now for almost 8 years, but prior to switching careers, I spent 16 years working as an alberta journeyman welder. Since the onset of my tattoo apprenticeship, i have worndered why the industry I had chosen for myself was not governed as a mandatory trade.It was clear to me that the complex procedures and practices that I was learning, if improperly applied, could pose a health risk to myself or to the general public.While I do feel that the training I received more than sufficiently prepared me to safely and ethically practice the art of tattooing, as I progressed in my career it also became clear that there was SO MUCH more to learn, so much more that could have been addressed at a training level.In sharing my apprenticeship experience with my peers, I also became aware of the lack of consistency or standard to the tattoo apprenticeship process.
This realization led me and others close to me to take up researching the process of transition required for an industry such as ours to become a trade. Years of researching this as somewhat of a hobby has brought me signifigant insight into the process of facilitating such a transition. All applications to the alberta apprenticeship legislative body are industry driven and supported.This process begins with a survey of the industry to confirm their interest and support of any proposed changes. In any industry that desires to grow in such a way, an association is founded with the goal of achieving a trade designation within its mission statement.This type of organization is commonly governed by a voluntary board of directors formed from within the membership.Such an association, properly founded and organized, can acess grants and funding to facilitate educational research, lobby for legislative changes within the industry, and act as a strong cohesive voice to represent its membership.As a unified force we can accopmplish far more than we can as individuals, and ensure that any changes made to our industry are carried out by the people that comprise it and not decided without our participation.It is my belief that a simple registry is not enough, that seeking a trade designation, whether volutary or mandatory, is the logical next step for us to take. Standardized education can only serve to benifit us as an industry, as well as to protect the public, and it is up to us to take that next step and unite as a community.It is in these interests that the following statement is being released by Cassandra Bencz on behalf of the proposed Alberta Association of Tattoo Artists and Body Piercers.
Scott Campbell

[nipper653]

It sounds good, and I have had the pleasure to speak with Scott and a few other members of this proposed association. I support the idea of this association, in that it can perhaps put in input to the regulation and legislation of this industry. It does sound like some good intentions, BUT you know what they say about good intentions...the road to hell is paved with them.

I have some issues about the transparency of such an organization, and feel that (and I do not say this in any way that would be pointing fingers at anyone) it has the potential to become more of an exclusive club. I think that unionization of this industry may not necessarily be a good thing, and that a potential for opportunism and corruption could be created. I am still willing to work with this association and volunteer my time toward any organization that is pushing for better regulating this industry, so long as it does so with the health department. In the end, it is the health department's, and therefore government's, job to regulate this and any industry to maintain its safety.

[nipper653]

"It is the intent of this body to legitimize, represent, and propel the growth of the tattoo and piercing arts by distinguishing them as Trades."


One of the stories I hear from tattooists around Canada is that, very often, the local health inspectors or authority, are often unaware or ignorant of some of the procedures in the body modification industry. Often, these inspectors turn to the local industry itself for guidance. This is a double-edged sword, as even though the health department dictates the conditions to which body modification business must maintain, they themselves are also advised and instructed, to a degree, by the industry. In the end, the industry polices itself. This may or may not be a bad thing.

I would like to see a tattooist become a health inspector or health authority officer. It would be a great way to bridge the gap, yet still let health authorities maintain the control over this industry as there should be. After all, it's their job.

Now, don't misconstrue my opinions here as saying the government gets all the say, and we in this industry get none. This is where the power of such an association truly lies: as lobbyists for change. To regulate this industry, at least province-wide, with input from workers in this and related industries, but under the umbrella of the health authority. Alberta is leading the way in regulating this industry it seems, and this should be maintained and the primary purpose of this or any organization of tattooists and body piercers. If we can work in a well-regulated body modification industry first, then after this is accomplished may be discussion of forming trade unions. Many want to see this industry better-regulated for ours and our clients' safety and well-being first and foremost. Before there is any talk of any trade union, formalized training, etc. etc., we must first create an environment in which this industry can practise safely. Then we can standardize this industry and concern ourselves with forming trade associations.


I'm sure many of us here in Edmonton are well aware of the situations that occurred this summer at Zipp's and Northgate Mall, and they are both unfortunate situations that many feel shed this industry in a bad light. I'm not going to talk about my personal opinions of these situations here (because that sort of language is crude) except to say that it was unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. How or why these things happened is not for me to say, but they did. Now, there are a number of people out there who have to go through blood tests and be inconvenienced by someone's ignorance or stupidity. Who's to blame? That's up to your personal opinion. It frustrated me as well as many others to see this happen, and we all do not want it repeated. I fear some over-zealous politician or lobbyist may attempt to ban tattooing in this city, like New York went through for decades, because a few people weren't acting responsibly. Obviously, there needs to be some changes to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Where real change can begin is with each of us. If you are tattooing or body piercing, get educated about cross-contamination control procedures, and get bloodborne pathogens training. For tattoo enthusiasts, research your shops, ask questions, and be aware of the risks involved. These are topics for other discussion forums.

Knowledge is power and information is worthless if it isn't used and shared. Where others not have been acting responsibly, I try to be responsible...to myself and to clients my clients.

[Tigurius]

Good point James. Anybody else? Shawn perhaps? I heard you have an opinion on this as well?

[Shawn_Lee]

Ok yeah I'm about a year behind on this response lol but Ive been busy busy busy

On making our industry an association or a trade if its kept in our hands with a selected kind of council that speaks for the rest I think it can benefit most of us especially since Jason Macdonald is in charge over at capital health.

honestly what are we loosing by doing this, what we step away from the barberism of a dog eat dog network that has no communication between shops or artists, we get away from how much some people can bash other artists or shops to just make it easier to sway artists and clients alike, well this might happen but it doesn't matter we need to pull together to bring this industry out of the dark ages and get our heads outta our as**s.

Scott has been working really hard trying to get this going and as expected there's as far as I know been alot of fight against it, when all its doing essentially is pulling us together opening doors and making the Edmonton tattoo industry stronger with artists working with artists, artists setting the standard and artists making it work so no more crap like zipps happens again

I honestly think this would be better for all of us and I dunno maybe Id like to be able to walk into other shops and not feel so much like the enemy and more like a artist wishing to speak and learn with other artists
the ability to have a way to communicate with others in the industry with out pregidice cause I'm from another "rival" shop, last I knew we all had a common goal " to produce the best tattoo's to the best of our ability" (bet you thought I was gonna say MONEY didn't ya lol) and by pulling together, that ability gets better and better for all of us, so weres the loss ??????

[nipper653]

LOL, talk about delayed response, Shawn.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly see a need for true brotherhood and sisterhood in this industry, not just here in Edmonton, but all over Canada. The precedent is certainly going to be set here. Currently, I am planning to do a tour of my old home Ontario again, and the one thing I can say is that Alberta is easily at the forefront of making this industry not only recognized, but as progressively moving forward. I plan to go back to the Niagara area where I am from, and this experience I have had out here in Alberta has shown me not only is such a thing possible, but currently underway. In total, I agree with the need for such an association, but it MUST be under the guidance of the health department: it's their job.

I hope to return to Edmonton again (unless I get some very good and expectant news next week), as I have had mostly positive experiences here, as well as a forthcoming and open community of tattooists. It's not all perfect, but its closer to that then where I come from.

Cheer's, Edmonton!