Tattoos are a method of self-expression and permanent art that has created its own subculture and community. Whitworth has a number of students that have chosen to get tattoos and can speak to their experience and tattoo culture. 

Students with tattoos reflected that they haven’t found any negative reactions to their tattoos within the Whitworth community. Maya Ross, an English major, said that, while Whitworth does not have a strong tattoo culture, people’s reactions to their tattoos are “positive or at most like a weird fascination.” 

Both Ross and Sage Fosnock, a fellow English major, have found tattoo culture in Spokane to be different from the tattoo cultures that exist back home. Ross, who is from Alaska, spoke about tattoo culture being about “spirituality with connection to native heritage,” saying “for Alaskan Native people tattoos are a significant part of who you are.” Fosnock is from Hawaii and spoke about how tattoos for Pacific Islanders involve getting tribal tattoos which are “representative of things that they need in their family” and come with a rich history of family and culture.  

Here at Whitworth tattoo culture has a lot of crossover with the LGBTQ+ community. Ross has found that for them tattoo culture at Whitworth is intermingled with queer community both within their friend group at Whitworth and amongst the artists at tattoo shops. Fosnock agreed with this speaking to tattoos as a method of liberation “being able to express yourself internally and externally getting tattoos that represent something about them.”  

Tattoo shops in Spokane include La Lune, Mom’s, The Missing Piece and Fortunata.  

Ross and Leah Hoogendam, a biology major, recommended La Lune which is a woman owned shop with a warm, welcoming environment and fair pricing. La Lune and Mom’s often have flash events which Hoogendam has gone to where clients pick from pre-set tattoo options curated by the artist. These flash events raise money for different causes engaging with the wider community.  

Fosnock recommends Fortunata as a shop where “artists really care about how you’re doing” and is clean and professional. Fosnock said that the higher price point was worth the service at Fortunda. Ross considers Fortunata to be a highly professional shop but a very expensive choice for getting tattoos.  

Getting a tattoo comes with a different weight than dyeing your hair or getting a piercing as there is a stronger aspect of permanence. Hoogendam talked about the immediate tattoo regret that they have experienced but found that this immediate regret goes away after a few weeks. They spoke to tattoos as time capsules that speak to “part of my life and what I’ve lived.” Ross agreed with this saying that you are allowed to regret tattoos and that there is the ability to cover up or remove tattoos but for them the memories and experiences around the tattoos they have hold value. 

For those interested in getting tattoos all three responded the same way — if you want it, then get it.