8ª Convención de Tatuajes Potosí

The 8th Potosí Tattoo Convention took place April 10 to 12, 2023, at the Municipal House of Culture Franz Tamayo in Potosí, Bolivia. This three-day event occupied the main exhibition halls of the cultural center, located three blocks from the Plaza 10 de Noviembre in the historic center of Potosí, a city known for its colonial architecture and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was the eighth edition of the convention, making it a recurring fixture in Bolivia's tattoo calendar. The event brought together local Bolivian artists and visiting tattooers from across South America, including participants from Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Attendees walked through rows of vendor booths selling tattoo machines, needles, aftercare products, and body jewelry. Live tattooing happened throughout the weekend, with artists taking appointments and walk-ups depending on availability. The floor plan separated the tattooing area from merchandise vendors to manage foot traffic. The convention included tattoo competitions across multiple categories including black and grey, color, and traditional styles. Judges evaluated work based on technical execution and design quality. Seminars and workshops ran alongside the main floor activity, covering topics from machine maintenance to business practices for studio owners. Potosí sits at 4,090 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. Visitors from lower elevations needed time to adjust to the altitude and thin air. The Municipal House of Culture Franz Tamayo provided an indoor venue with basic seating, fluorescent lighting, and concrete floors typical of municipal buildings in the region. Nearby accommodation included Hotel Coloso and Hostal Tukos, located within ten minutes walk of the venue along Avenida Universitaria. The local tattoo scene in Potosí reflects Bolivia's broader mix of indigenous heritage and contemporary urban culture. Artists in the region often incorporate Andean motifs, Aymara patterns, and local mining imagery alongside traditional Western styles. The convention was a meeting point for this community, connecting established studios from La Paz and Santa Cruz with local Potosí artists who maintain smaller shops in the city center. Tickets were available at the door and through participating tattoo shops in Potosí and Sucre in the weeks before the event. Pricing typically ranged by day or for full-weekend passes. Attendees brought cash for deposits and payments, as not all vendors accepted credit cards. The convention opened at 11:00 AM and ran until 8:00 PM each day, with afterparties at local bars in the San Clemente district.