Spidermonkey Tattoos celebrates its 25th anniversary with an art showcase
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Spidermonkey Tattoos — which now boasts its standing as the longest-running tattoo shop in Thurston County under the same ownership — and they’re determined not to let that occasion pass without a celebration. On Sunday, Aug. 10, Spidermonkey Tattoos will open its doors to the public, allowing Olympians to get a look at displays of tattoo art by Spidermonkey artists and collaborators.
Spidermonkey’s time in the game has allowed them to bridge the transition that tattoos have made from the counterculture to the mainstream, seeing that growth happen and growing alongside it.
“It’s great to see people like bank tellers with hand tattoos and professionals with something poking out of their collar and such,” says Spidermonkey Tattoos co-owner Bryan Childs. “In the nineties, we called hand and neck tattoos ‘job stoppers’ and would turn down young people unless they were already well covered in tattoos and understood the prejudice you’d get for having visible tattoos. Face tattoos were mostly only seen on tattoo artists themselves, but that ship has long since sailed.
“I still try to talk 18- or 19-year-olds out of face tats,” Childs continues. “Twenty-five years or more ago I’d been refused service at a few restaurants and would be followed around stores like I’m gonna steal something. People had asked me if I’d been to jail or if I was a satan worshiper! I think now the difference is that people judge you more based on the quality of your tattoos.”
Since Spidermonkey Tattoos opened, it’s been run by the married duo of Bryan and Deb Childs, and they’ve prided themselves on carving out their own niche in the Olympia landscape.
“Well, firstly, my wife Deb and I love the community of Olympia and have never had any desire to live anywhere else,” says Bryan Childs. “Our lineup of talent has changed over the years, but we’ve always tried to keep good natured tattooers and desk people that share our ideals and devotion. Because of that, the vibe in our shop feels like family, and I can say that I genuinely love my crew. We pride ourselves in being hands-on shop owners. I’ve seen other tattoo shops come and go because of absentee owners. I am still a full-time tattooer after 32 years in, and work shoulder to shoulder with my people. My wife is always available to our staff to resolve issues.
“Our space is one of collaboration and inspiration and no big egos,” Childs continues. “We push each other and help each other with input on our designs. The shop has seen a few moves and a few remodels, faces have changed over the years, but I think it’s our consistency with this vibe that our customers see that’s become our reputation, and that’s why we’re an institution in Oly.”
This Sunday’s art show will feature artists that have become part of the Spidermonkey Tattoos circle over the past few decades, some stretching as far back as Bryan Childs’ early days over 30 years ago. As Childs says, these pieces will not be physical tattoos, but rather “a gallery of paintings that dream of being tattoos tailored for the back.” So, if you’re in the market for an elaborate bit of body art, this is the perfect place to find some inspiration.
If you’ve never gotten a tattoo before, it can be a big decision to make — and anyone who’s talked to someone who’s into tattoos will tell you that there is a lot of philosophy and unprompted advice that gets thrown at you when you’re making this decision. Childs, though, has some wisdom for those who may want to take the plunge.
“The advice I hear most given to young people is that you need to get something deeply meaningful, and while I’d say that’s not bad advice, I’d also consider that what you feel deeply about now may change as you grow older,” says Childs. “Getting something you generally associate with, like a favorite type of animal, or bird, or flower, or even something simply decorative, may be things that you will still be fond of in the long run. That’s just my opinion. Most importantly, pick a great artist and trust their advice. Good tattoo artists devote their lives to learning what looks best and will last the test of time on the body. You are paying for that expertise, after all. It’s rare that anyone regrets a well-done tattoo.”
Come celebrate with Spidermonkey Tattoos and help them keep Olympia inked up for another 25 years.
What:
Spidermonkey Tattoos 25th Anniversary Celebration
Where:
Spidermonkey Tattoos, 217 4th Ave E., Olympia
When:
August 10, 3-8 p.m.
Cost:
Free
Learn More:
https://www.spidermonkeytattoo.com
https://www.instagram.com/spidermonkeytattoos/