Face/body artist Criss Wiebe shows a photo of her work on model Amanda Fath among the works on display as part of the Epic Dermis exhibit in the Tipsy Mermaid Gallery located at The Drunken Sailor clothing store downtown. Herald photo by Ian Martens

Caroline Zentner
lethbridge herald
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Artists create on all kinds of canvases and a unique art show in Lethbridge features those who work on skin.
Epic Dermis is an art show and sale celebrating tattoo art forms in a variety of media. The show is the brainchild of Todd Lacharite, a concert and arts promoter in Lethbridge. With more than 10 tattoo shops in the city Lacharite figured their work should be highlighted.
"I purchased a whole of bunch of practice skins. They're for tattoo artists that are apprenticing just to practise. It's like tattooing on real skin except you're not tattooing on someone," Lacharite said.
He had the practice skins framed and then opened up the art show to other artists to submit tattoo-themed artwork for the show. The result is an art show with 55 pieces of art, including the practice skins, paintings, drawing and photography.
On opening night, Criss Wiebe's contribution to the show was a live model she had spent four hours stencilling, sponging, brushing and applying glitter tattoos.
"I think it's important more people get exposure to that to understand body painting is an art form," Wiebe said.
Wiebe, who operates Criss Wiebe Face Design, said people get their bodies painted for advertising purposes or personal photo shoots. Gestational belly painting is also quite popular, she added.
The show can be viewed at The Drunken Sailor clothing store, located at 323 6 St. S., during store hours. Regular hours from Monday to Saturday are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
The art show and sale wraps up March 13 at 8 p.m. with a party at Studio 54 nightclub. In addition to performances by a couple of local bands, the Show Devils and their roadshow are scheduled to appear. The Show Devils consist of The Enigma, a man who's tattooed head to toe in puzzle pieces, and his wife Serana Rose, who bills herself as stage performer, fashion designer and Freak Show princess. Cost for the wrap-up party is $10 and tickets are available at The Drunken Sailor, Studio 54 and all Gas King locations.
Lacharite, owner of Think Tank Events, said he likes to do art shows outside of galleries by partnering with local businesses.
"It gives artists who would never think of putting their art into a gallery but are so talented that people should be able to see their art to appreciate it," Lacharite said.