Editor’s Note: Once again, Salt Lake City will host the International Tattoo Convention Feb. 15-17 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. In its fifth year, the gathering is a rather remarkable phenomenon for the city as it features many of the best known tattoo artists from the nation and from around the world. C. J. Starkey, the event coordinator, has graciously agreed to do a Q&A about the convention and its highlights. The convention includes many bands and performers as well as contests and awards. There is literally something for every age group. The convention runs Friday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 16, from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 17, from noon to 7 p.m. One day passes run $15 for adults, and $30 for a three-day pass. Teens (12-17) can be admitted with a $5 pass while children under 12 are admitted for free. More information about the convention as well as artists who will be appearing is available here.

SE: To the uninitiated outsider or observer, the decision to hold an international tattoo convention in Salt Lake City (given its unique religious history) might seem odd but the convention’s history has been successful. What defines Salt Lake City’s place in the cultural and artistic worlds of tattoo work?

CJS: Salt Lake actually has a rich and long standing history of tattooing. A.S.I. tattoo has been around for well over 20 years. One of our attending artists, Kate Hellenbrand, tattooed here in the 70s.

SE: An unscientific conclusion would suggest more people are getting tattoos today than previously and several surveys suggest that tattoo customers are coming more frequently from a broader, diverse range of demographic characteristics. Why do you think the growth and popularity of tattoos has so compellingly transcended the realm of predictability and how has this outreach strengthened the public perceptions about tattoos as a unique artistic and aesthetic field?

CJS: The increase has been gaining steam for over a decade. The television shows have made a big impact. However, they are not solely responsible. I believe that the progress of the younger tattooists who honed their skills in the late 80s and throughout the 90s changed the perceptions of tattoos from just being something for sailors and convicts. A lot of the artists who learned during this period branched out and opened their studios in newer, clean locations, often in neighborhoods that weren’t associated with tattoos.

SE: What traits, skills, characteristics, and influences define the truly great tattoo artist?

CJS: Truly great artists obviously must have tremendous artistic skill and talent, but they also need good communication skills. It is difficult to verbally convey and interpret what a customer wants. There are also many limitations in translating two-dimensional drawings or paintings to a three-dimensional body.

SE: For the serious consumers, what would you suggest as they contemplate the search for an artist ideally suited to their personal preferences and matching of concerns on quality and price?

CJS: Take your time and do your research. The Internet has become a huge source of information for the enthusiasts. Conventions are an awesome opportunity to be exposed to artists from outside of your region. Meet with the artists whose style and work you feel a connection to. You want to enjoy the experience when getting tattooed so make sure the person is professional and has the customer as his or her first concern, not the business bottom line. Never haggle over prices. Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good. The new influx of fly-by-night studios that pop up and close every week have done serious damage to the business by undercutting the genuine shop which has a lifetime commitment to the art.

SE: In terms of tattoo choices, what seem to be the most popular influences or choices for tattoos today?

CJS: Since the tattoo related “reality shows” (e.g. Inked on the Arts and Entertainment Network) it seems that a lot of the customers are interested in “memorial” tattoos.

SE: What has been the impact of the influences from the entertainment industry (e.g. film, pop culture, music, sports) upon the discipline of tattoo art, both in terms of practice and in general acceptance?

CJS: The popularity seems to have affected positively the acceptance of people with tattoos. Of course, there still many stigmas held by some people.

SE: For convention goers, what will be the highlights of this year’s meeting in Salt Lake City?

CJS: We have the biggest and most talented lineup to date. We have several new artists attending from overseas. These include some new shops from Japan, France, Sweden and even a woman from Beijing, China. The Jim Rose Circus will be performing its sideshow antics on the main stage throughout the weekend.

SE: Finally, what tattoos do you have and, if you don’t mind, what were the stories behind those tattoos?

CJS: I have several tattoos. Most of them are based around my sense of humor or the artist’s. The first tattoo I got was after several years of surrounding myself in the world of tattooers. It is an awesome portrait of Pee Wee Herman by Nate Drew of Lost Art Tattoo. Pee Wee’s Playhouse was a Saturday ritual for my parents and me. We taped all of the episodes for my newborn sister, so she grew up watching that show and subsequently inherited our sense of humor.