Students from School District 23 have the chance to try their hand at tattooing, kind of.

The Okanagan Tattoo Show is putting on a drawing contest for all students in the area.

Any style and medium is being accepted, and there are no limits to expressing creativity when it comes to this contest.

Ten finalists will be selected to attend a seminar with celebrity artist Dave Kruseman at the tattoo show in July.  One winner will be chosen and will win their school an art supplies prize pack from Opus.

Photo Credit: Okanagan Tattoo Show.Ink Master Dave Kruseman.

Organizers will also be choosing one student from every grade as a runner up who will receive an individual art prize pack.

Danielle Crowe, executive director of the Okanagan Tattoo Show, said the contest will help get younger people and families interested in the show.

“We just wanted to integrate the community a little bit more and how better to integrate the community than with kids, with students?” said Crowe. “They’re the future and they definitely have a lot of interest in art, so it gives them a glimpse of a career they can obtain in the arts.”

“We’re just really excited to see what they come up with.”

Photo Credit: Okanagan Tattoo Show.

She said tattooing became a little more accepted about 10 years ago when the TV shows on the industry became really popular.

“It really brought it into the homes and for the average person who didn’t really know much about it,” said Crowe. “So I guess it’s made it more mainstream, more acceptable and brought a lot of attention from families.”

Crowe said their yearly tattoo event is very family oriented.

“Our shop and everybody involved, we all have families,” she said. “We wanted to change the stigma of what people perceived the tattoo industry to be.”

Photo Credit: Okanagan Tattoo Show.Danielle Crowe at the show in 2015.

Crowe said now the industry is represented by professionals who are family focused, open and accepting.  

“I just wanted to show everybody that it’s really nice,” she said. “It’s not scary like people think it is.”

She said there are many different art forms and styles in tattooing, with different cultural influences.

“It’s very expressive. So it’s basically like wearing your heart on your sleeve,” said Crowe. “Our job is to take somebody’s idea and make it more than what they came in for.”

She said the tattoo contest allows kids to express themselves, just as the industry does.

“It has every type of art avenue you can think of. It’s a fantastic industry to get into,” said Crowe.  

So far they’ve had multiple submissions.

Those interesting in entering can do so until May 21.

An 8.5 x 11 drawing, painting, or colouring can be sent in by email, with the subject line “colouring contest” and the student name and grade included. You also must say if you want your photo shared on social media. 

Photo Credit: Okanagan Tattoo Show.