Jacci Gresham - Aart Accent Tattoos - New Orleans
I needed to call her and interview her for Chick Ink, and I really only needed answers to a couple of questions, but Ms. Gresham was so delightful and friendly, I found myself asking more and more, not really wanting to let the conversation go. She said that a lot of people regard her as "Grandma," which is easy to understand - not just because she's a hearty sixty-years-old, but because she exudes that warm-but-stubborn grandma-like charisma, even over the phone.
Before Hurricane Katrina, Jacci Gresham had two shops in New Olreans, but one was damaged beyond repair and they have not been able to return. Now she commutes fifty miles each day, through unending construction and over temporary bridges, just to get to work at her French Quarter studio. Business boomed at first following the hurricane, but once the FEMA money ran out and reality sunk in with a lot of residents just struggling to survive, business has slowed down for Ms. Gresham and her fellow artists.
There really isn't a point to this blog except to share the history of an amazing woman and to say how much I enjoyed speaking with her. And if anyone is wondering what happened to her, the crew, and the shops due to Katrina, I thought I'd pass that along as well. It's too bad they don't have a website, but if you're in New Orleans, pay Aart Accent a visit and please give Jacci "Grandma" Gresham a hug from me!
Comments
I have a body piercing shop as well and that is a top notch piercing
I was tattooed 12 years ago at Jacci’s studio when I was a student at Tulane University. Still my only tat. I chose her strictly on the basis of her being Alfrican American and a woman. I wish I could go back to get it touched up. I live in NYC now.
I had two of my most special tattoos done at Art Accent on Rampart…one commemorating the birth of my son, and one honoring the memory of my mother. They did excellent work and were very friendly. I live in NC now, I can’t wait to get home to get my fleur de lis tat to remember those lost in Katrina.
She is one of my HEROS..period! If it wasn’t for her…there would be no ME.
Ms. Jacci is the best, not only did she show me how to properly put on a corset but when I needed a place to crash for Mardi Gras she let me stay at one of her places for free. She is top notch all the way love her she is a great lady…
I’m thrilled to hear Jacci is still in N.O. I want to get more work done and she is the only person I trust. Her work is topnotch. I will be there in a month to get more work done.
Jacci Gresham is not the only black female professional tattoo artist. Teresa AKA: Teresa3D is the only other black female professional tattoo artist still doing her artwork. Teresa is originally from St. Louis cith, MO., where she began her apprenticeship and worked for many years. She later relocated to sunny Southern California where she is slowly creating a client base. While in St. Louis, she tattoed such famous people as Ali of the St. Lunatics and many others from the hip-hop industry. We would very much like to visit Jacci Gresham in New Orleans to bring together a friendship of what can truly discovered as the only two black female tattoo artist in the nation.
Rick
Black Orchid Tattooing
Burbank, Ca.
hey wassup yall at ART ACCENT..I got my 1st tat done there about 7 or 8 yrs ago when i was around 15-16..my moms and dad took me as long as i wouldnt put any homemade tatts on me..so i didnt and got my 1st real 1 thanx to Tag Anderson @ Art Accent…Ms. Jacci is Tag still around???much love and big props to everybody @ Art Accent
Dominic is the best one there, in my opinion – he is meticulous and gentle. Ask for him if you go there. One of the highlights of my life was getting a tat by him…
Jacci gave me an awesome mermaid tattoo back in 2003, she is a delightful lady and an accomplished artist.
Thanks for the article!
I am a native of New Orleans; I must say Ms. J is the coolest lady I know. I had the pleasure of receiving the best quality of original N.O. tattoos from her shop before Katrina at her shop in my hood the mighty 9wd. If you see her again ask her how’s the kids. I love her human size dogs.
I worked for Jacci on Rampart St. Back in the day. She was hard on me but that’s what I needed. She never setteled for 2nd rate Only the best would suffice. I still remember the first compliment she ever paid me. She has always been a CLASS ACT. I got to see her right after the hurricanes and I must say that the few minutes I got to see her was the highlight of my trip…Jacci if you see this Im praying for you
Tommy
Hi! I just wanted to share that i have an original from 1984 i had Jacci draw pattern and ink for me… naked woman sitting on moon still as beautiful as it was 6/11/84. Excellent artist
see my myspace page at tattoosbyjanell ( sn)
I am a black female tattoo artist
Jacci is the origional! You can’t top what she has done for the industry! And in response to ‘Lil Randy’ Tag is over here in Tallahassee Fl, but we do drive out to NOLA to visit the family and work some.
Is Nate still there? He did an amazing tattoo of three names around a kanji symbol for ‘Family’ on my arm in July ‘07. It was my first and only ink and I have fond memories of my night in AART Accent on Rampart.