Ben Shaw on Clubhouse

Bio

my name is Ben Shaw a tattoo artist of 23 yrs and shop owner for 13.
I am also the past chairman for the board of body art practitioners, the state regulatory body for tattooing, body piercing and permanent make up in the state of New Mexico. I went through the 2015 NM legislative session as an expert witness speaking on behalf of proper regulation to create said board. I have also been an SME (subject matter expert) for NIC (National interstate of cosmetology) who has developed the state approved tattoo artist test that our apprentices must take and pass to become a licensed tattoo artist here in our state, and is being used in several other states.
I had also confounded the Guild Of Ethical Tattooists in 2014 with such members as Brian Everett who served as our president several terms.
The Guild would teach the local tattoo artists about the state’s regulation and any upcoming changes. We taught health and safety info at middle and high schools instructing kids and teens to avoid unprofessional tattoos, and piercings. Also doing charity events bolstering a positive image of the local tattoo industry.
This was also the group of tattoo artists that promoted and supported SB275 that created the state board.
I retired in October 2019 after serving 6 years with the state. (3 years on the body art board, 3 on the barber and cosmo board where tattooing was regulated prior)
I have been an APT (alliance of professional tattooists: https://safe-tattoos.com) since 2019 and was recently appointed their New Mexico State Representative and a board member.