Welcome Artist & Vendors!!!
****Last Updated: 6/14/25***
Thank you for being a part of my show! This section of the website is just for you! Everything from directions, show info, policies, floor plans, after parties and any other information you could need will be posted here! Use the buttons below to jump to the information needed. But please! Be sure to read through everything and check back frequently for updates! Text me if you have any questions, 810-357-5460 ~ Jonathon
Venue Address:
Blue Water Convention Center
800 Harker St
Port Huron, MI 48060
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ!!!
There are frequent traffic backups which can cause you to be stuck in traffic ***FOR HOURS*** due to the bridge to Canada being backed up with trucks.
It is strongly advised to take an alternate route than what your GPS will take you.
Taking the Downtown Port Huron Exit is recommended, your GPS should reroute you through town to get to the venue. There are several construction zones through town, be observant.
Don't smoke weed until you get there or you will be lost forever!
Show Policies - PLEASE READ
NO MINOR TATTOOS ARE ALLOWED DURING THIS EVENT!
DO NOT TRY TO TATTOO ANY MINOR INDIVIDUAL, EVEN WITH PARENT PRESENT AND ALL USUALLY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. TATTOOING ANY MINORS WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE SHOW WITH NO REFUND AND YOU WILL NOT BE INVITED BACK FOR NEXT YEAR!
MAKE SURE EACH CLIENT FILLS OUT THE CONSENT FORM.
Tattoo Ink * READ THIS*
In the state of Michigan the law states:
13.5. CR All tattoo pigments/inks, tattoo needles, and piercing needles and other instruments used for body art procedures shall be specifically manufactured for performing body art procedures and shall be used according to manufacturer’s instructions
13.5.1 CR Expired pigment shall not be used for body art procedures and must be discarded upon expiration.
13.5.2 CR Pigments that have a secondary expiration date (i.e. time length once product is opened.) must be labeled with both the date opened and the new expiration date and must be discarded upon expiration.
Then manufacturer should have a an expiration after opening symbol like this
What this means:
Once an ink bottle is opened you will need to record the opening date AND the new expiration date(one year from the opening date). So if you're bringing already opened ink bottles make sure when asked by the health inspector about when the ink was opened you should “HONESTLY” respond with a date within the last 12 months. This has apparently been in law for many years and just not enforced until recently. If you are using unexpired unopened inks and plan to open them at the show then you should be fine.
If you want to avoid the questioning, you can pre label your inks with the HONEST opening date and new expiration date and tape them to your bottles. This will ensure a speedy and problem free inspection.
Health Inspections
Our health inspections will start on FRIDAY June 27 at 9am. Please be set up and ready to be inspected as early as possible. The event opens to the public at 11am and we want to be able to provide services to our clients and attendees so please be early and as set up as possible. Make sure to have your BBP available either printed or accessible on your device, even if you already send them to me!
If you need to renew your BBP here is a link that the state of Michigan recognizes and is very inexpensive.
https://nationalcprfoundation.com/courses/standard-bloodborne-pathogens-2/
Alcohol/Bar
There will be a bar on site for anyone who wants to partake. DO NOT bring outside alcohol into the venue. They will be looking and removing any outside alcohol. If it becomes a problem you will be asked to leave the show.
Food
There will be food trucks on site each day. Freighters will also be passing out menus and can deliver directly to your booth. You may also bring your own food into the venue or have deliveries made to the front area near the ticketing booth. There will be an Artist/Vendor only lounge you can eat and rest in peace. Please keep it to just artists and vendors working the show. There will be fridges available in the art/vendor lounge. Please do not take anyone else's food or drinks.
Music
There will be a centralized playlist. You may bring a personal radio but be respectful to the other artists and patrons. If your music's too loud to hear the announcements or complaints are made you will be asked to turn it off. If it becomes a problem, you will be asked to leave the show without a refund for the booth rent as well as not being invited back for next year's show.
Smoking/Vaping
There is no smoking or vaping inside the venue. We have a designated patio artist area for smoking and vaping, this goes for attendees as well. We want to respect the venue as much as possible so we can continue to do this show year after year.
Equipment rentals
There will be a limited amount of massage table, armrests & Stools available for rent at the show. You will need to sign out what items you take to use and return them when not in use.
Minor Tattooing
There is no underage tattooing permitted at this event. Even with the state required documents. Please do not attempt to tattoo any minors at this event.
Body Piercing
There is no body piercing permitted at this event. Please do not attempt to perform body piercing services at this event.
Floor coverings
Please try hard to maintain the integrity of the floor covering, not just for the safety of our artists and clients, but to preserve the carpet and presentation value of the venue. We want them to see that we care about the venue and want to keep it in good condition. If tears occur, please notify event staff so we may patch it with a new piece.
Security
We will have individuals patrolling the event to keep a close eye on any situation that may occur. Of course we always hope to never have issues at a show, sadly there have been situations at shows that warrant some preventative measures to keep everyone safe and their belongings secure during the event. In addition to the people we will have patrolling the event there will also be surveillance cameras in place throughout the event. These cameras are here to help deter theft as well as potentially catch any issues that may occur so we can look back and determine what if anything has happened. Each night once the show is closed the event hall will be locked and inaccessible until the following morning when one of the show representatives will be there to open the hall. If anyone has any issues at my show please report it to me immediately so we can review footage and determine what the correct measures should be.
After Parties!!!
Thursday June 26th:
Pre-Party at Freighters Eatery & Taproom, attached to the venue, 9pm-11pm...ish *Open Bar*
Address: 800 Harker St, Port Huron, MI 48060
Friday June 27th:
Smoke Out party at The Exhibit Dispensary & Lounge in Port Huron, 10pm-1am...ish
Address: 1033 River St Port Huron, MI 48060
Sunday June 29th:
After Party at a speakeasy located downtown under the Bootleggers Bar. 9pm-12am...ish *Open Bar*
Address: 402 Quay St, Port Huron, MI 48060
Show Schedule
Friday June 27
10am Seminar: Bryn Beer *FREE*
11am, Show opens to Public
12pm Live Painter(s)
3pm Art Fusion, Gabe, Jon, Jeff, Dereck, Zoe - Auction immediately after.
5pm Stage Entertainment, Jax Silvertree & Nathan McScary
8pm Tattoo Contests
10pm Show Closes
Saturday June 28
10am Seminar: FlipShades * More info coming soon*
11am, Show opens to Public
12pm Live Painter(S)
5pm Stage Entertainment, Poppet & Anthony Grupido
8pm Tattoo contests
10pm Show Closes
Sunday June 29
10am Seminar: Larissa Surline *FREE* 2Hours
11am, Show opens to Public
12pm, Live Painter(s)
3pm ArtFusion, Artist, artist, artist, artist, artist - Auction immediately after.
5pm, Tattoo Contests
8pm Show Closes
Extras
Free caricature drawing by Fred Koceba from 3-6 everyday
Free Facepainting By Taylor Jane from 12-5 everyday
Load in
Loading will be available Thursday, June 26 from 3 PM until 8 PM
We will resume load in at 9 AM on Friday June 27
Artists & Vendors can enter the venue at 9am each day of the show!!!
Admission
$20.00 per day
$50.00 weekend pass
Some discounts apply
Free entry for 15 years old and younger
Contests
Contest Category & Info
***See terms below***
~$20 Per Entry
~Top three winners of each category.
~One tattoo can be entered into multiple categories.
~Tattoos can be fresh or Healed for regular entries.
~Best Of Day & Best Of Show must have been started and finished at the show, either on the day of the category or the whole weekend. The artist must provide a photo of the stencil or marker work when entering the tattoo.
~No multiple artist collaborations can be entered into Best Of Day, they can be entered into the specific category of Best Of Show Collaboration.
Friday 8pm
Best Biomech
Best Geometric
Best Pet Portrait, with photo
Best Cover-Up, with photo
Best Watercolor
Best New School
Best of Day BNG
Best of Day COLOR
Saturday 8pm
Best Black & Gray SM
Best Black & Gray LG
Best Color SM
Best Color LG
Best Back
Best Front/Chest
Best Lettering
Best Traditional
Best Neo-Trad
Best sleeve BNG
Best sleeve COLOR
Best of Day BNG
Best of Day COLOR
Sunday 6pm
Best Overall Collection
Best Portrait, with photo
Best Color Infused Black & Grey
Best Joker
Best Realistic
Best Anime
Most Unusual
Best Booth display(one winner, free to enter)
Best of Day BNG
Best of Day COLOR
Best of Show BNG
Best of Show Color
Best of show Collaboration
Official website URL
https://www.blackrivertattooconvention.com/
Official Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AM5bAvNkc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Official Instagram URL
https://www.instagram.com/blackrivertattooconvention?igsh=MWJ4MmN3dzgyM2pwaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
SEMINARS
Friday June 27 at 10am
Ready to level up your color portrait game?
Bryn Beer is bringing a one-of-a-kind Color Realism Portrait Seminar to the Black River Tattoo Convention — and you're invited! With only 10 spots available, this is an intimate, high-impact learning experience you don’t want to miss.
🖌️ What’s going down:
✨ Dive deep into Bryn’s approach to color mixing
✨ Master the art of lifelike realism
✨ Learn how to blend, build texture, and bring references to life — start to finish
✨ Get real-time tips and feedback from Bryn herself
👥 Perfect for tattoo artists ready to sharpen their skills and stand out in the industry.
💥 Bonus: You’ll be learning alongside fellow artists in a hands-on, supportive space.
🎟️ Pricing:
✔️ Free for artists working the show
✔️ $150 Early Bird
✔️ $200 Regular
💬 To claim your spot: DM Bryn directly or email brynbeerofficial@gmail.com
Don’t just tattoo portraits—bring them to life.
https://www.instagram.com/bryn.beer_official?utm_source=qr
https://www.facebook.com/bryn.beer?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=sRrRhXoflf94DjxX
Saturday June 28 at 10am
Flipshades Seminar!
*More Info to be announced*
Sunday June 29 at 10am
Larissa Surline will be hosting a seminar at no cost to artists, vendors & attendees of the convention!
“How to Support Your Creative Business through Cycle Awareness”
“I will be teaching on the importance of our natural infradian rhythms (menstrual cycle/ menopause, moon phases), and how we can recognize hormonal changes and patterns. Learning about the way you personally operate each month can be life changing information that empowers and motivates you to optimize your creative life and business!”
Please feel free to contact me at themysticalwomb@gmail.com if you have any questions!
I will also have a booth at the tattoo event all weekend, come watch me tattoo and check out the Mystical Womb merchandise!
View more of Larissa’s tattoo & womb work on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sister_blister_tattoos/
Discounted Rooms
Here is a list of discounted local hotels. Some are nicer than others. some are closer or further from the venue. Choose what is best for you. One thing to keep in mind is that is NO Uber or Lyft in the Port Huron area, only cabs... IDK why. So I will list these options with the nicest and closest first. Most room blocks get closed out about a month before the show, so don't wait to book! But, if you are after the close off date online, call the hotel directly and ask for the discounted rate, I will include as much information as I can to help you get the best deal.
Option 1: Nice Hotel, excellent location.
DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron
800 Harker Street, Port Huron, MI 48060
Call Samantha Redinger if after the deadline of May 26
810-984-8000 | Ext. 425
This hotel is attached to the venue.
Use this link to book.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/phntedt-doubletree-port-huron/
Put in your dates, select Special Rates, enter TAT as the group code to receive the discounted rate.
Option 2: Decent Hotel, nearby.
Comfort Inn
1720 Hancock Street, , Port Huron, MI, 48060, US
Phone: (810) 292-0453
This hotel is 0.8 mile away from the venue.
A four minute drive or 17 minute walk.
Use this link to book.
This link should already have the code and discount applied, but just incase here is the information.
Group Name:BRTC Tattoo Convention
Group Number:MH89E2
Option 3: A very "Economic" option.
Days Inn and Suites by Wyndham
2908 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron, Michigan, 48060
This hotel is 1.2 miles away from the venue.
A five minute drive or 25 minute walk.
Use this link to book.
or
Call the hotel on (810) 984 1522 and quoting the code BRTC or by mentioning the Black River Tattoo Convention.
This link should already have the code and discount applied, but just incase here is the information.
Group Name: BRTC or Black River Tattoo Convention