Metsä Tattoo and Artistry to Run Tattoo Charity Drive
By Sidney Ulakovic
It’s not what it sounds like, promise. With a double-take inducing name like Women Flashing Women, interest around town was undoubtedly piqued when local tattoo artists at Metsä Tattoo and Artistry announced they would be running a fundraising event in support of Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre this August.
Metsä Tattoo and Artistry opened almost two years ago, and the earthy and tranquil studio is co-owned and led by tattoo artists Kaisa Rusnick and Melissa Wright, who are accompanied by apprentices Tessa Toneguzzi and Amaris Hietamies. “It just kind of happened that way,” Rusnick says of the studio being women-owned and operated. “It’s kind of a new thing. The tattoo world [has been] very male dominated for many, many, many years until recently.” For the uninitiated, getting a tattoo can be an intimidating experience, and, as Metsä evolved, they operated with the intention of ensuring a welcoming and safe space, ultimately prompting them to take on this next endeavour.
Women Flashing Women is a one-day-only event celebrating female resiliency that will take place at Metsä’s studio on Algoma Street, where registered participants will receive a pre-designed tattoo (or “flash,” as they say in the industry) of their choosing. All proceeds collected from registration fees will go to Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre, a non-profit organization that provides front-line advocacy, support, and information for women in the region, many of whom are survivors of violence. Event coordinator Cheri Whitehurst conceptualized the event and began approaching artists with the hope of being able to see it to fruition. “I guess it came from this need that’s building in me,” Whitehurst says of what prompted her to organize the event. “The atmosphere around women, especially down south—and don’t forget ourselves here in Canada—is fucking terrifying me, and I’m just no longer content to sit on the sidelines and not do anything about it.”
The team at Metsä were immediately receptive to the idea, and when they announced the event on social media, Rusnik says that the response was overwhelmingly positive. As of mid-July, all spots are filled and a waitlist has started. The designs themselves capture themes of strength, self-love, bodily autonomy, and motherhood, with a majority exploring a motif of growth through the inclusion of nature-inspired pieces.
Whitehurst and the team at Metsä hope to grow the event to eventually involve other local artists and vendors, but for now are looking forward to connecting with all the women who’ve signed up. “One of my favourite parts of this job is getting to meet new people and learn a bit of their story,” says Hietamies. “[I’m excited to] have a really fun chat with all these ladies,” Toneguzzi adds.
Women Flashing Women will occur August 4. To learn more about Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre, visit nwowomenscentre.org. If you’re interested in getting a tattoo at one of Metsä’s future events, follow them on Instagram @metsa.tattoo.
