First Black-owned tattoo academy in Hampton Roads set to open in Portsmouth
The first Black-owned tattoo academy in the 757 opens its doors this summer in Portsmouth.
Greg Edwards decided to open the school adjacent to his tattoo studio, Greg’s Tattoos, to help prevent others from what he experienced when he entered the industry six years ago.
“I initially tried to get an apprenticeship with a local artist, but found that it wasn’t welcoming,” Edwards said.
Apprenticeships — generally unpaid — require 1,500 hours and take about two years to complete. When Edwards earned his license, he had to commute to Richmond.
Greg’s Airbrush & Tattoo Academy plans to fill the void in the area. The only other tattoo school in the area was opened a few months ago by Antonio Almazan, owner of Supreme Styles Tattooing in Virginia Beach.
Edwards generated the academy’s course, which includes proper consultation etiquette, identifying parts of the tattoo machine, understanding the skin and its layers, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, sterilization, and proper needle and cartridge disposal.
“I actually took some of that COVID time I was shut down to develop the curriculum,” he said.
Applicants 18 and older are being accepted for the first class, which starts July 1. The course costs $8,000 and runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for a total of 750 hours. Aspiring tattoo artists are required to pass the state exam following course completion, which includes the creation of 100 tattoos per student.
Alexis McCann said she’s wanted to be a tattoo artist since she was 16. The 21-year-old is one of the first to register for Edwards’ academy.
“It’s nice when you can take something that’s a long process and make it into a shorter time frame, but you’re still getting the same knowledge,” McCann said.
Edwards’ journey to tattooing was as colorful as the airbrushed wall that emblazons his studio. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he served six years in the Navy before he transitioned to the police force in Pensacola, Florida. He worked in asset protection security in the state of Washington and loss prevention for the Navy Exchange in Virginia Beach.
His wife, Kimberly, maintained her naval career as a corpsman and the family moved throughout the U.S. during her 20 years on active duty. The couple has three children: Camry, 26; Aubrie, 22; and Kyra, 14.
After the stock market crash, Edwards decided to “bet on himself” and return to his first love — airbrushing. He opened up a shop in Chesapeake Square Mall and remained there for 11 years before he relocated it to Portsmouth.
Edwards said he loves the stories he can tell using images.
“I’m able to generate a vision. When people ask for a design, I can visualize it as they’re speaking,” Edwards said. “Anything you can hold still, we can airbrush.”
At the urging of his friend and fellow artist, Elton Parker, he decided to take on tattooing. Parker assured Edwards he’d mastered his airbrush skills and was one of the best airbrush artists on the East Coast.
“I did a little research and found there were zero Black-owned tattoo shops in the area,” Edwards said.
Interestingly enough, Edwards said Black Americans tend to spend more money on tattoos but have no representation.
“It was so hard for people of color, at the time, to get licensed,” Edwards said. “So you saw people, for the most part, working out of their homes, and that right there is a no-no. That is a huge problem that we have in this area.”
He opened Greg’s Tattoos in 2015. In six years, Edwards has learned the art of tattooing, developed as an artist, earned his instructor’s license and was named the 2020 Virginia Media best tattoo parlor in Portsmouth.
Now, he’s certified to teach others the art and help them earn their license.
“We probably do at least four or five tattoos a week that are cover-ups or corrections to people that are tattooing out of their homes,” Edwards said. “It’s going to help bring people from out of the shadows.”
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
