Not your traditional career

– Guyana’s 1st national tattoo expo set for Nov 15 & 16

Guyana is about to make history with its first-ever national Tattoo Expo, hosted by two of the Caribbean’s most influential tattoo artists – Sayad Tattoo Arts, one of Guyana’s leading tattooists, and InkNerd7, an award-winning artist from Queens, New York.
At a recent press conference, InkNerd7, who has Guyanese roots, passionately explained why this event is so important.
According to him, there is a clear juxtaposition between the tattoo art form in Guyana and in countries like America and Europe.
“Tattooing in Guyana is not respected the same way it is in the US, Europe, or even other parts of the Caribbean,” he said.
“It’s not seen as a proper career path. Most people grow up thinking you have to be a lawyer, a doctor, or do something traditional to be successful. But tattooing? It’s a real career. You can make money, travel, and work with clients every day – even celebrities. You can build something meaningful, something lasting. That’s what we want people to see [at the event].”
The landmark event will take place at the Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara, on Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, from 12:00h to 23:00h each day.
The expo will also feature a live DJ to keep energy high and a variety of booths from top tattoo supply brands — perfect for professionals looking to restock equipment or discover the latest products.
Sponsors of this event include FYT Needles, Pure Tattoo Supplies, RAW Pigments, Tattoo Lovers Care, Kwadrons, Ric’s Rags, Glamour Connection Guyana, Inked and Proud, Timeless Fashions, Palais de Luxe, Jai Signs, Jax’s Restaurant, Trendy Bites, and Studio 8.
The event aims to highlight the business potential of the tattoo industry, showing that as practitioners improve their skills, they open the door to more clients and greater opportunities.
“The more clients you get, the more opportunities open up. Tattooing isn’t just art — it’s a business, a lifestyle, a way to take control of your life and create your own path. And we’re here to show that this is possible in Guyana too,” InkNerd7 stated.
Meanwhile, Sayad Mohamed, co-partner of the initiative, echoed these thoughts, emphasising the educational aspect of the expo.
“This event is going to bring a lot of knowledge to young artists and even seasoned tattooists who haven’t had the opportunity to spread their wings,” he said. “Many of them were taught just one way to tattoo, and because of the environment here, they think that’s all there is. We want to change that mindset. We want them to see that tattooing can be more than just a hobby – it can be something great, something they can turn into a career, something that gives them opportunities beyond what they’ve imagined.”

InkNerd7 emphasised that many young artists in Guyana believe the only way to succeed is by sticking to traditional methods they were taught. He noted, however, that tattooing is evolving globally and is increasingly recognised as both an art form and a legitimate career. He highlighted that artists can gain respect, recognition, and financial independence through tattooing and expressed the hope that local artists would witness this first-hand and follow a similar path.
The Georgetown Tattoo Expo will feature live tattooing from over a dozen talented artists across the region, including Golden Phoenix Tattoo Studio with three of their top artists, Safo Barbershop with two of their artists, Nicholas Gonzalez, Tattoo Boss Adam, Norvel Subbick, and many more. Visitors will have the chance to get tattooed live or simply watch as skin transforms into art before their eyes.
“There’s something special about seeing a tattoo being made in real-time,” Sayad said. “People don’t realise how much skill, patience, and creativity goes into every piece. Watching someone create art on skin is different from seeing a painting on a wall. And for young artists, it’s invaluable. They can see the techniques, the precision, and the way we think about composition and storytelling in tattoos. That’s the education part of the expo – it’s learning through experience.”
“This event isn’t just about tattoos,” InkNerd7 said. “It’s about community. It’s about bringing artists together, young and old, to connect, learn, and inspire each other. We want people to walk in thinking it’s just an expo and walk out thinking it’s a movement. A movement for art, creativity, and opportunities in Guyana.”
Sayad added, “We’re also here to break myths. Some people still think tattooing is negative – that it’s only for gangsters, or it’s something you do for fun. That’s not true anymore. Tattooing is artistic. Tattooing is professional. Tattooing can take you places. And this is the first step in showing that to the world.”
The Georgetown Tattoo Expo is shaping up to be a ground-breaking celebration of creativity, culture, and expression – a moment that will leave a lasting mark on Guyana’s tattoo industry and set the stage for future artists to grow, learn, and succeed.