Residents crowded Tisa’s Barefoot Bar in Alega during the weekend for Tisa’s Tattoo Fest, the annual-two day event celebrating the Samoan art of “tatau” and the creativeness of the Samoan culture.

A first time at the Fest, the Most Aspiring Artist Award, sponsored by Hauula-based Polynesian Tattoo Factory owner Ricky Boy Novera and his family (wife Lilia and children Manaia and Makavelli) became a reality.

It was presented to a local tattooist -- lucky winner: upcoming artist Eddie Tarrant of Pago Pago.

Ricky Boy, a half-Samoan, half-Filipino tattooist, son of Ricky and Kuini Novera of Avaio, said during the fest he watched the artists, checked out their equipment and artwork, assessed their humility and “how nice they are,” he told Samoa News.

“This young man was special,” Ricky Boy told Samoa News. “It’s a gift from our family that I will present every year I attend the tattoo festival.”

Eddie, who also claimed a Best of Fest Award, this past weekend, was gifted with a complete tattoo shop set-up, Ricky Boy explained. The award consists of inks, machine, needles, tools; everything one needs to operate a tattoo shop.

Traveling to American Samoa with apprentices Rick Coito and Laura Naylor and her husband Michael Naylor, Ricky Boy also handed out grab bags to local artists. The bags contained tattoo supplies to provide for a “safer and healthier American Samoa,” he said.

Laura who celebrates her birthday this Wednesday, is the first female tattooist to participate in Tisa’s Tattoo Fest.

In addition, a host of awards sponsored by local companies were presented during five competitions held this past weekend.

On Saturday, when competitions for the traditional Samoan tatau were held, a malu done by tufuga Su’a Suluape Aliavaa Petelo claimed the Best of the Fest malu award and cash prize.

Fagaitua High School senior Anastasia Julia Kalio Fanene, 16, who presented the winning malu, received her malu during the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts from Su’a, she told Samoa News.

Anatasia took the prize money for her winning presentation, while Ricky Boy — now in his third year of studying to become a tufuga under Su’a in the state of Hawaii — accepted the Best of Fest plaque “for my teacher,” he told the crowd.

There were only two sogaimiti — men with tatau — who entered the men’s category. Both men — Lau Moliga and Patrick Nomura —  received their traditional full body tattoo from local tufuga Wilson “Wiz” Fitiao.

Lau Moliga claimed the Best of Fest cash prize for the men’s tatau while Wiz, who was on-hand at the festival, claimed his best of fest plaque.

Yesterday’s Modern Body Art Show included the tauvae (anklet), the taulima (arm or wrist band), shoulder sleeve and tribal competitions.

Bonita Laussen of Pago Pago and Vaitogi won the tauvae category. Her tauvae was done by upcoming tattooist Eddie Tarrant of Pago Pago.

William Sword, Jr. of Utulei won the prize for the shoulder sleeve category. His work of art was from Pacific Soul Tattoo Shop in Waikiki, by artist Suluape Steve Looney.

Leland Slater, whose armband was done by Wiz won the taulima category.

In the tribal category, judging was tough with eight pieces from varying artists. In the end, it was a shoulder sleeve from Tongan tattooist Billy Vea who claimed the cash prize for the wearer of the tattoo and a plaque for himself.

Tisa Faamuli, who hosted the event that was broadcast worldwide via Web cam, with the help of many sponsors, said they were able to accomplish several things this year: they have fulfilled the goal to revive the art of the tatau while also supporting a focus on sanitation and a disease-free environment for the artists.

“We have had this gathering to discuss a very important part of our culture,” she said.

She is looking at setting up Tattoo Fridays for local artists to gather and talk story and set appointments.

What’s next for Tisa? A big bash to celebrate 20 years of the environmentally friendly, award winning Tisa’s Barefoot Bar, set for April 2009.