Las Vegas Weekly

August 17, 2009 · 1:54 AM

Local tattoo artists stack the deck with custom cards

By Deanna Rilling

Designed by local tattoo artists, the Stack the Deck cards showcase Vegas talent while benefiting a local charity.

Photo: Ryan Reason

Not all tattooists trace pictures from a book. When you know where to look, tattoo artists with extraordinary abilities are creating works that transcend the medium of skin. One group in Las Vegas aims to dispel the stereotype that tattoo artists aren’t real artists, while helping the less fortunate in the process.

Aaron Neiman of Pussykat Tattoo Parlor is co-founder of The Las Vegas Tattoo Art Collective, a group that meets monthly to bring recognition local tattoo artists and the Vegas art scene through charity art shows at Red Giant gallery. “Every artist has a wall that they’ve built up over the years of why they don’t like another shop or artist,” said Neiman. “The main goal is breaking down the barriers in this town and [bettering] the view on tattooing.”

Along with over 20 artists from seven shops, Neiman and the rest of the Art Collective meet monthly. Without a tattoo gun in hand, they create artwork on skateboards, shoes and now, a full deck of playing cards.

Photo: Ryan Reason

Works from 27 different artists are represented in the Stack the Deck set.

Called Stack the Deck, the Collective is selling a custom deck of playing cards, each card designed by a local tattoo artist. Some contain subtle symbolism. Some have a sense of humor. Some are just plain beautiful. The cards are on sale at GroupTherapyLV.com, and proceeds will help raise money for local children’s charity Dalton Avenue. “It’s a new path that we’re taking,” said Neiman “None of these artists have ever really done anything like this.”

Getting the cards in players’ hands is part of a marketing strategy to bring attention to both the charity they’re benefiting and the arts collective and local tattoo artist scene.

“I’m really trying to get the art group out there as much as possible,” said Neiman. A new instillation goes up every First Friday from the Collective, and The Girl Show, with art by a selection of Vegas’ female tattoo artists, is currently on display. Next month will focus on works inspired by traditional tattoo art.

Now that Stack the Deck is taking off and the monthly art shows are attracting viewers, what’s next for the Collective? “We’re going to do more charity work and keep trying to put Vegas on the map of tattooers,” Neiman said. Group Therapy is planning on creating a second deck of cards, the proceeds from which Neiman would like to see go to help people battling cancer.

“We’re not exactly the blind leading the blind, but it’s a new path that we’re taking, and we don’t fully know everything about it,” he said in regards to contacting charities and fundraising. “Everything’s new to us. It’s a learning experience every month.”

To purchase Stack the Deck playing cards from the Art Collective or Group Therapy LV, stop by 107 E. Charleston Ste. 125 at the Arts Factory, or visit grouptherapylv.com. Call RaShelle Roberts or Justin McCroy at (702) 287-0044 or e-mail rashelle@grouptherapylv.com for more information.

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