Carbondale Arts debuted “Visceral Alchemy” on May 29, showcasing an art exhibition curated by Marketing & Communications Director Sarah Overbeck and local tattoo artist Matt Hays. The show features mixed-media works by over 20 artists, many of whom are primarily based in Colorado, with several out-of-state creatives included. Gallery goers can anticipate viewing not only stencil designs of some of the artists’ best tattoos, but also wood carvings, ceramics, paintings and an immersive look into iconic pieces from tattoos in media over the years.
At the opening reception, Overbeck and Hays spoke to those in attendance, thanking them for coming and paying homage to the art of tattooing. They shouted out gallery manager Brian Colley, who bridged the collaboration between the two, and Carbondale Arts for making this exhibition possible.
“It was at Brian’s suggestion that I reach out to Matt,” Overbeck said. “Once I did, we went to lunch, and I ran the idea by him. He thought it was cool, and he then gave me a list of people to reach out to, some of whom were artists I wanted to reach out to on my own anyway.” Overbeck and Hays were both born in the Valley and have deep local connections.
Hays is entering his 20th year of his tattooing career. In addition to this craft, he is also a musician and recalls that the first tattoo he received was his band’s logo, and the first one he ever did, also on himself, was a koi fish. Discussing “Visceral Alchemy,” Hays credited Overbeck with launching the show and also expressed that a show like this was something he had always been interested in.
“Having grown up here and being so close to this sort of lifestyle, [a show like this] is something I’ve always wanted to do but hadn’t thought about how to go about it — I think this is an incredibly diverse group of artists, who all show a wide range of talents that are all connected by one thing: tattooing. I would encourage anyone in the community to come and see it,” Hays stated.
The second day of this exhibition saw an especially immersive activity: a first-come, first-served walk-up tattoo event for anyone 18 years and older. While I, the proud owner of nearly 20 tattoos, put my name down with Ben Merrell at Wildland Tattoo Studio in Fort Collins, I was unfortunately unable to get my next piece done. I did, however, have the privilege of seeing him and many other incredible artists, including Hays, work on several designs for those who stopped in.
One of these walking canvases was Hannah Beal, who attended the event to work with Denver-based artist Mike Strescino on a design honoring her late friend, nicknamed “Arctic Wolf.” Beal said she was drawn to Strescino’s linework and attention to detail in his animal-themed pieces.
“I would say this is the coolest Launchpad art show I’ve ever seen,” Beal proclaimed. “I think it is incredible to see tattoo artists who also create physical artwork that relates to their tattooing style. Making this art form accessible to the public in this way, I feel, helps it to be more accepted by the general public.”
Also present for this event were Joey Armstrong of Thunderhand Tattoo out of Richland, Washington, Kevin Bledsoe of Tribal Rites Tattoo Studio out of Fort Collins and Neon Falcon Tattoo Studio in Denver, Curtis Burgess of Tribal Rites, Brett Herman and William Thidemann of Mammoth American Tattoo in Denver, Samantha “Samazon” Kuhn of Copperhead Tattoo Parlor in Denver, Mike Pinto from Thick as Thieves in Denver, Matt Rousseau from Your Flesh Tattoo in Durango and Jher Seno of Landmark Tattoo in Denver.
The artists also featured in the exhibition lineup include Sandi Calistro from Denver, George Campise and Ben Cheese from Berkeley, California, Ishmael Johnson from Fort Collins, Justin Nordine from Grand Junction, Rodney Raines from Richmond, North Carolina, Olivia Britz-Wheat from Portland, Oregon and Carbondale’s Bonedale Tattoo artists Brett Haynes and Heather Quinn.
Based on a handful of friendly conversations I shared with attendees, the community would love to see more events and activations like this in the future, whether that is curated by Carbondale Arts or if the artists would come together for their own event. Much like the feeling you get after receiving your first tattoo, this community of art lovers is itching for more.
“Visceral Alchemy” will be on display at
The Launchpad through July 3. For more information on the exhibiting artists, visit www.carbondalearts.com