BEHIND THE INK is a first-of-its-kind film put together by local Charlotte, NC students and creatives with the mission of exploring untold narratives of those who are inked. This documentary was produced and shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors. The film shares stories behind the tattoos of various Charlotte and South Carolina residents, including NBA veteran Anthony Morrow and Tattoo Artist Crystana “Dutchess” Lattimore, while documenting the journey of a young lady from the Dominican Republic who gets her first tattoo in Charlotte NC.

Born out of a student-led photo exhibit launched over a decade ago...BEHIND THE INK emerged. This documentary explores tattoos, and what some may call “artistry and body art”. It covers the “whys” of personal canvases straight from the source, while also capturing the journey of a young lady who receives her first tattoo. There are men and women of all ages, different races, and socioeconomic backgrounds that reveal stories, ideas, joy, and pain behind their ink. From a suicide survivor, former professional athlete, to a tattoo “first-timer”, BEHIND THE INK gets up close and personal with individuals whose body art ranges from playful motifs to deep memorials for lost loved ones — all with a distinct purpose and meaning.

The photo exhibit features a diverse group of subjects from NC, SC and NYC. Our photographers will be on sight to capture more images of people with tattoos to add their images and stories to future project. All participants will be gifted with a free digital portrait from their photo session.

Event Details

Photo Exhibit: 11am - 9pm

Photo Studio Free Tattoo Portriats: 12noon - 7pm

Documentary Showtime: 7pm - 7:30pm

After Movie Talk w/ Cast & Crew: 7:30pm - 8pm. (Moderated by Tree McGriff/CineOdyssey Film Festival)

Behind The Ink Documentary Screening and Book Release Event at The Collector’s Room (adjacent to Elder Gallery) located at 1520 S.Tryon Street Charlotte NC 28203

Come see the Charlotte Debut Screening of the Behind The Ink Documentary in Uptown Charlotte outdoors at Victoria Yards located at 408 North Tryon Street (Located across the street from Duckworth’s at the corner of N. Tryon St. and 7th St.). The film shares stories behind the tattoos of various Charlotte and South Carolina residents, including NBA veteran Anthony Morrow and Tattoo Artist Crystana “Dutchess” Lattimore, while documenting the journey of a young lady from the Dominican Republic who gets her first tattoo in Charlotte NC.

Bring your own lawn chair, Picnic tables and limited seats will be provided. Live DJ Music, Food Trucks, Drinks and Merchandise available for purchase.

Door open at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 8pm. Mask Required.

NYC mandated COVID-19 protocols will be place to view artwork inside Art Cafe & Bar gallery space located at 884-886 Pacific Street Brooklyn NY 11238. The full-service restaurant/bar will be open and serving food during the event. Come enjoy photography., fine-art and live music in the outdoor courtyard with a performance by Awthentic Recording Artist JSWISS with a live band. (FREE)

BEHIND THE INK, an interactive, multi-disciplinary visual arts exhibit, will showcase impactful images of people from various races, cultures, ethnicity and age groups that will tell stories behind their tattoos. Born out of a student-led project launched over a decade ago, using photography, it explores similarities amongst various identity groups focuses on the diverse aspects of body ink (tattoos). The tattoo subjects in the pop-up show were shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors.

The pop-up art exhibit will also feature visual artwork from New York based artists;

Laura R Gadson: Quilt, fiber and mixed media artist , explores and often blends the worlds of quilting, felting, painting, collage and more as a result of her love affair with textiles and paper and a variety of materials. She is a graduate of the renowned Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the City College of New York. Her work has been exhibited in many institutions and museums, reproduced as public art in her Harlem community, and is proudly part of various public and notable private collections include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Morris Jumel Mansion, Iyanla Vanzant and Susan Taylor.

Marienne Thomas, artistically known as YEN, is a visual artist/portraitist who is affiliated with the Collective Artist of Ethnic. Her work expresses all forms of beauty of the African American culture and diaspora as she seeks to capture love, freedom, purpose, strength and faith in her art.

Dennis "Denny Moe" Mitchell, a New York based photographer who's work has appeared in over 30 publications and he runs and manages Denny Moe's Media House in Harlem. In additional to his outstanding photography resume, Denny Moe is the owner of Denny Moe Barbershop in Harlem. Cutting hair since age 14, his skills earned him a reputation and his client list includes Mike Tyson, New Edition and Eddie Murphy. He also spent years touring with artists including Keith Sweat and Doug E. Fresh, before returning to Harlem to open Denny Moe's Barbershop. His shop has become a staple in the community for helping bring media attention to topics like health awareness, education and challenges of owning a business during a pandemic.

Accompanying the pop-up exhibit, our Behind The Ink creative team will be selectively capturing new images of subjects to begin developing the Behind The Ink – New York photo exhibit. Currently, notable faces include former Black Ink Crew reality star tattoo artist Dutchess Lattimore, former NBA Brooklyn Nets player Anthony Morrow and recently retired NFL Carolina Panthers Linebacker Thomas Davis. Creating Exposure Through The Arts partnered with local non-profit organization Harlem Needle Arts (https://harlemneedlearts.org/ ), Collective Artists of Ethnic (https://cafedinc.org/ ) and Denny Moe's Media House https://www.dennymoesmediahouse.com/) to showcase and feature several NYC artists during this show.

NYC mandated COVID-19 protocols will be place to view artwork inside THE VENUE gallery space located at 2284 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd New York NY 10030

BEHIND THE INK, an interactive, multi-disciplinary visual arts exhibit, will showcase impactful images of people from various races, cultures, ethnicity and age groups that will tell stories behind their tattoos. Born out of a student-led project launched over a decade ago, using photography, it explores similarities amongst various identity groups focuses on the diverse aspects of body ink (tattoos). The tattoo subjects in the pop-up show were shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors.

The pop-up art exhibit will also feature visual artwork from New York based artists;

Laura R Gadson: Quilt, fiber and mixed media artist , explores and often blends the worlds of quilting, felting, painting, collage and more as a result of her love affair with textiles and paper and a variety of materials. She is a graduate of the renowned Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the City College of New York. Her work has been exhibited in many institutions and museums, reproduced as public art in her Harlem community, and is proudly part of various public and notable private collections include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Morris Jumel Mansion, Iyanla Vanzant and Susan Taylor.

Marienne Thomas, artistically known as YEN, is a visual artist/portraitist who is affiliated with the Collective Artist of Ethnic. Her work expresses all forms of beauty of the African American culture and diaspora as she seeks to capture love, freedom, purpose, strength and faith in her art.

Dennis "Denny Moe" Mitchell, a New York based photographer who's work has appeared in over 30 publications and he runs and manages Denny Moe's Media House in Harlem. In additional to his outstanding photography resume, Denny Moe is the owner of Denny Moe Barbershop in Harlem. Cutting hair since age 14, his skills earned him a reputation and his client list includes Mike Tyson, New Edition and Eddie Murphy. He also spent years touring with artists including Keith Sweat and Doug E. Fresh, before returning to Harlem to open Denny Moe's Barbershop. His shop has become a staple in the community for helping bring media attention to topics like health awareness, education and challenges of owning a business during a pandemic.

Accompanying the pop-up exhibit, our Behind The Ink creative team will be selectively capturing new images of subjects to begin developing the Behind The Ink – New York photo exhibit. Currently, notable faces include former Black Ink Crew reality star tattoo artist Dutchess Lattimore, former NBA Brooklyn Nets player Anthony Morrow and recently retired NFL Carolina Panthers Linebacker Thomas Davis. Creating Exposure Through The Arts partnered with local non-profit organization Harlem Needle Arts (https://harlemneedlearts.org/ ), Collective Artists of Ethnic (https://cafedinc.org/ ) and Denny Moe's Media House https://www.dennymoesmediahouse.com/) to showcase and feature several NYC artists during this show.

EVENT POSTPONED/CANCELLED - Join us during National Night Out at Arbor Glen Recreation Center 1520 Clanton Road Charlotte NC

USE BINGEWAVE.COM LINK TO GET A FREE TICKET TO WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY. IT WILL AUTO-START AT 7PM SHARP (EASTERN TIME) OR WATCH ON DEMAND (AVAILABLE ON DEMAND THURSDAY 4/29 @ 11PM - SUNDAY 5/2 @ 11PM)

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

BEHIND THE INK is a first-of-its-kind film put together by local Charlotte, NC students and creatives with the mission of exploring untold narratives of those who are inked.  This documentary was produced and shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors. 

Born out of a student-led photo exhibit launched over a decade ago...BEHIND THE INK emerged.  This documentary explores tattoos, and what some may call “artistry and body art”.  It covers the “whys” of personal canvases straight from the source, while also capturing the journey of a young lady who receives her first tattoo.  There are men and women of all ages, different races, and socioeconomic backgrounds that reveal stories, ideas, joy, and pain behind their ink. From a suicide survivor, former professional athlete, to a tattoo “first-timer”, BEHIND THE INK gets up close and personal with individuals whose body art ranges from playful motifs to deep memorials for lost loved ones — all with a distinct purpose and meaning.

Upon completion of the Pre-Release Screening of the Behind The Ink Documentary, join the Zoom session for feedback and will share next steps from 8:30pm - 9:00pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85974992214

Meeting ID: 859 7499 2214

Passcode: INK

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You have been invited to attend a Virtual Screening of the BEHIND THE INK documentary this Saturday evening at 8:00pm.  Upon completion of the movie, we will have a Zoom session for feedback and will share next steps from 8:30pm - 9:00pm.

Please use the link below to get your free ticket to watch the 30 minute documentary on the Bingewave.com platform. The movie will begin at 8:00pm sharp.  

Note: If asked to open an account and/or create a password, please do so as this will be the platform for this documentary and future episodes in the docu-series.  

https://www.bingewave.com/s/behind-the-ink-virtual-theater-1

About The Movie

BEHIND THE INK is a first-of-its-kind film put together by local Charlotte, NC students and creatives with the mission of exploring untold narratives of those who are inked.  This documentary was produced and shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors. 

Born out of a student-led photo exhibit launched over a decade ago...BEHIND THE INK emerged.  This documentary explores tattoos, and what some may call “artistry and body art”.  It covers the “whys” of personal canvases straight from the source, while also capturing the journey of a young lady who receives her first tattoo.  There are men and women of all ages, different races, and socioeconomic backgrounds that reveal stories, ideas, joy, and pain behind their ink. From a suicide survivor, former professional athlete, to a tattoo “first-timer”, BEHIND THE INK gets up close and personal with individuals whose body art ranges from playful motifs to deep memorials for lost loved ones — all with a distinct purpose and meaning.