In gathering information for this exhibit, we knew it would be important to get perspectives from tattoo artists themselves.  Beyond purely aesthetic tattoos, cosmetic tattoos are becoming more common as well. More than one shop we interviewed mentioned providing Microblading services. Microblading is a subtle form of cosmetic tattooing. Small strokes are used to tattoo individual hairs to fill in eyebrows that might be otherwise light or thinning.

We interviewed several tattoo artists in the central Minnesota area, and during those interviews we found another common thread: piercings and other body modifications. Many tattoo shops also provide piercings, and are as much a part of the culture as tattoos.

In the links below you will find information on the tattoo shops we visited, the artists therein, and their perspectives on tattooing and, in some cases, piercing as well.