Health Protocols and Booking Info

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UPDATED July 23, 2025

At AWP health protocols prioritizing the well-being of our clients and artist always comes first. Public Health is central to tattooing. This studio is clean, Carol Ann!

Our health guidelines are straightforward and common sense:

  • If you are – or have been – feeling unwell – or if you’re in contact with anyone feeling unwell – do not come to the studio. Awen wants to remain healthy in order to avoid scheduling delays. If we notice any symptoms during your time in the studio we will cancel your appointment and send you home. That would be awkward. Nobody wants awkward. Just let us know proactively, ok?
  • We offer remote ZOOM design consultations – to provide accessibility for clients traveling in for their new ink and to reduce traffic inside the studio. Consults can be booked online through a link provided by Awen. Submit a booking inquiry.
  • Clients are expected to wear clean clothes to your appointment. Whether you’re coming from home, school, fieldwork in the Northwoods or your camping trip, help us keep the studio, the client chair, and the tattoo environment clean – for yourself and everyone else.
  • When you arrive for your appointment, simply scan the QR code on the counter with your phone and set out your photo ID to begin the check in process.
  • Complimentary masks are available and Awen is more than happy to mask up for your appointment. No judgement – just ask! If your tattoo is on your chest, torso or neck, Awen will mask and may ask you to as well due to being face to face for several hours. We completely support freedom of choice and bodily autonomy. If you choose not to wear a mask when asked, no problem – we respect that and we will choose to reschedule your appointment.
  • Ventilation is key to interrupting the cycle of transmission for airborne illnesses. Fresh air is consistently cycled into the studio and then filtered with HEPA filtration. In cool weather we adjust heating, but the studio runs cool. Bring a zip up hoodie to keep one arm covered while the other gets tattooed, or wear it backwards to keep both arms and your front warm while getting a back tattoo – or hey, it’s makes for a nice woobie. Who doesn’t love a woobie.
  • While we’re on the topic of comfort – You’re welcome to bring earbuds to transport you to your happy place while getting inked. We provide complimentary internet so you can stream to your hearts content.
  • IMPORTANT: As we’ve all experienced, things like illness, injury and family emergencies come up at the last minute, so be sure to check your email and /or Square messages before coming in for your appointment  just in case there are last minute changes to the appointment. In the event rescheduling is necessary, we’ll email you as early as possible. Obviously unexpected things are – well, unexpected. Thank you for being understanding.
  • REMEMBER: A fresh tattoo requires energy from your immune system to heal, and your immune system requires resilience to fight exposure to illness, so it’s necessary  to be healthy when getting tattooed, to follow the aftercare instructions and to make good choices during the first few days of healing following the tattoo. If you’re camping, plan the tattoo for the end of your trip.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFO:
  • ALL studio hours, appointments, booking timelines and protocols are subject to change. If you have an appointment, be sure to check your email and /or Square Messages for updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Awen is certified in Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing through the Alliance of Professional Tattooists and is re-certified annually.
  • Single service disposable set ups are provided for each and every client. Each item used during your tattoo appointment – from needles to pigment to ink caps – are discarded at the end of each appointment.
  • Hand washing and hand sanitizer are available to clients throughout the duration of your appointment.
  • Awen will postpone appointments if he feels unwell. Thank you in advance for your understanding if we need to reschedule. Be sure to check your email for appointment updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Awen is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • Awen is a card carrying Professional Members of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
Two things we’ve learned over the last several years is the only constant in life is change,  and that while we each experience life uniquely, we are all also ultimately interdependent. We’re big fans of science here. If you’re uncomfortable with any of these protocols, feel free to respectfully inquire for clarification and/or to postpone/reschedule your appointment. Questions? Just ask.

Be Well,  Keep the Courage and Stay Awesome!

Current Health Protocols for Booking

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UPDATED May 20, 2023

WHOOOT! We have finally relaxed our COVID health protocols! AWP has always practiced strict health protocols prioritizing the well-being of our clients and artists and we will always continue to do so. Public Health is central to tattooing. Our studios are clean, Carol Ann!

Thank you for your support and cooperation, over the last three years in particular, as we prioritize public health, the health of our clients and the health of our artists and our families. We appreciate you.

 

Our health guidelines are straightforward and common sense:

PLANNING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT:
  • Photo ID is required. No exceptions. Neglecting to provide a photo ID at your appointment will forfeit both the appointment and the deposit.
  • Payment is due at the time services are rendered. If you’re getting an extensive piece over several sessions, payment is due at each session. No exceptions.
  • If you are – or have been – feeling unwell – or if you’re in contact with anyone feeling unwell – do not come to the studio. Matt and Awen want to remain healthy in order to avoid scheduling delays. If your artist notices any symptoms during your time in the studio we will cancel your appointment and send you home.
  • Masks are required for everyone for the duration of your time in the studio. YES WE STILL REQUIRE MASKS. Why, you ask? Because this is one of the few – or maybe the only – situation in which you’re sitting inches away from someone’s face for several hours at a time. Masking keeps small businesses – like ours – open. Complimentary masks are available. And yes – we completely support freedom of choice. If you choose not to wear the fresh surgical mask we provide, no problem – we will choose to reschedule your appointment.
  • You’re welcome to bring earbuds with to transport you to your happy place while getting inked. We provide complimentary internet so you can stream to your hearts content.
  • Ventilation is key to interrupting the cycle of transmission for COVID. We circulate fresh air –  into the studios. When it’s cool, we adjust heating, but the studios do run cool. Bringing a zip up hoodie is a great way to keep one arm covered while the other gets tattooed – or makes for a handy lap blanket if you feel chilly.
  • Clients are expected to wear clean clothes to your appointment. If you are coming from anywhere other than your home, change into clean clothes before arriving.
  • IMPORTANT: As we’ve all experienced, things like illness, injury and family emergencies come up at the last minute, so be sure to check your email before coming in for your appointment  just in case there are last minute changes to the appointment. In the event rescheduling is necessary, we’ll email you as early as possible Obviously unexpected things are unpredictable, so be sure to check your email before traveling to the studio.
  • REMEMBER: A fresh tattoo requires energy from your immune system to heal, and your immune system requires resilience to fight exposure to illness, so it’s necessary  to be healthy when getting tattooed, to follow the care instructions and to make good choices during the first few days of healing following the tattoo.
ONGOING AWP PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS
  • ALL studio hours, appointments, booking timelines and protocols are subject to change. If you have an appointment, be sure to check your email for updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Our artists are trained in Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing through the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, which we re-certify annually (most recently 11/29/22) – including continuing education on COVID-19 transmission and prevention.
  • Everyone working at AWP is fully vaccinated – including boosters – and we mask. BOOM!
  • We clean and disinfect throughout the studios, including public and common spaces, before and after each client as well as at the beginning and end of each work day.
  • Artists will be wearing masks, gloves, scrubs or aprons and other PPE such as eye protection or face shields. Nothing to see here (or to take personally) – these practices provide protection to everyone.
  • We circulate fresh air into the studios and filter air 5x hourly with HEPA filtration in every workstation.
  • Studio air quality is monitored by C02 sensors, maintaining Co2 levels recommended by the CDC for COVID-19 indoor air quality.
  • Single service disposable set ups are provided for each and every client. That means items used during your tattoo appointment – from needles to pigment to ink caps – are all discarded at the end of each appointment.
  • Hand washing and hand sanitizer are available to clients throughout the duration of your appointment.
  • Artists will postpone appointments if we have been exposed to COVID-19, if we have reservations about our own health or if we feel unwell. Thank you in advance for your understanding if we need to reschedule. Be sure to check your email for appointment updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Our artists and studios are licensed by the Minneapolis Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • We’re card carrying Professional Members of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
Two things we’ve learned over the last three years is the only constant in life is change,  and that we are all ultimately interdependent. Expect protocols and studio hours to change as we continue to encounter new COVID variants. We’re big fans of science here. If you’re uncomfortable with any of these protocols, feel free to respectfully inquire for clarification and/or to postpone/reschedule your appointment. Questions? Just ask.
Thank you for your ongoing support for our art, as well as for your support of our strict public health protocols!

Be Well,  take good care of yourselves and stay awesome!

~ Awen and Matt

Studio Update: COVID-19 Protocols

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UPDATED December 28, 2022

Thank you for carefully reading – and re-reading – our COVID-19 protocols! We continue to update this page as we continue to monitor current information on COVID, new variants and current public health recommendations.

And – thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we prioritize public health, the health of our clients and the health of our artists and our families. We appreciate you.

Prior to COVID, AWP has always practiced strict health protocols to prioritize the well-being of our clients and artists. Public Health is central to tattooing. Our studios are clean, Carol Ann!

 

PLANNING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT:
  • Photo ID is required. No exceptions. Neglecting to provide a photo ID at your appointment will forfeit both the appointment and the deposit.
  • Payment is due at the time services are rendered. If you’re getting an extensive piece over several sessions, payment is due at each session. No exceptions.
  • If you are – or have been – feeling unwell – or if you’re in contact with anyone feeling unwell – do not come to the studio. We know this isn’t *new*, but given how tired we all are of this – it bears repeating. We’re tough on this one – if your artist notices any symptoms during your time in the studio we will cancel your appointment and send you home. It would be awkward to have to send someone home in the middle of a tattoo. No-one wants awkward, right? We understand that it’s frustrating to postpone and wait even longer for your new tattoo. WE GET IT. Awen and Matt want to say healthy to avoid delays. If we’re exposed, every appointment gets delayed while we isolate (with the potential for more delays if we are actually sick and need time to recover). Besides, we want to keep the studio a healthy, safe place for you and every other client we see as well as keeping our families safe when we go home. If you know you’re feeling funky or have been around someone feeling funky, just let us know ASAP. Even if it ends up being at the last minute. Easy peasy. We good? Cool.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT:
  • Please minimize what you bring into the studio. A water bottle, earbuds, a basic day bag – all good. Several giant bags and sacks of fast food – not so much. Keeping it minimal helps ensure the tattoo workspace is as clean as possible.
  • Masks are required for everyone for the duration of your time in the studio – regardless of vaccination status. YES WE STILL REQUIRE MASKS. Why, you ask? Because this is one of the few – or maybe the only – situation in which you’re sitting inches away from someone sharing air for hours at a time. As such, a tattoo session is completely different than a quick maskless dash into the grocery store or a hair cut. Masking supports public and personal health and it keeps small businesses – like ours – open. If Awen or Matt get sick, appointments get delayed. Noone wants that. We will provide each person with a new N-95 or surgical mask to wear for the duration of your time in the studio. The masks we provide you help ensure the tattoo workspace is as clean as possible. And yes – we completely support freedom of choice. If you choose not to wear the fresh surgical mask we provide, no problem – we will choose to reschedule your appointment.
  • With masks on, the windows open, ventilation, air filtration, music playing and the buzz buzz buzzing of tattoo machines, it’s harder to hear one another which can make conversation tricky. You’re welcome to bring earbuds with to transport you to your happy place while getting inked. We provide complimentary internet so you can stream to your hearts content.
  • Ventilation is key to interrupting the cycle of transmission for COVID. We cycle fresh – yes good ‘ol fresh outdoor Minnesota (even winter) air –  into the studio. We adjust heating to balance this, but the studios run cool. Bringing a zip up hoodie is a great way to keep one arm covered while the other gets tattooed – or makes for a handy lap blanket if you feel chilly.
  • Clients are expected to wear clean clothes to your appointment. If you are coming from anywhere other than your home, change into clean clothes before arriving.
  • IMPORTANT: As we’ve all experienced, things like illness, injury and family emergencies come up at the last minute, so be sure to check your email before coming in for your appointment  just in case there are last minute changes to the appointment. In the event rescheduling is necessary, we’ll email you as early as possible – and obviously sometimes things come up unpredictably, so be sure to check your email before traveling to the studio.
  • REMEMBER: A fresh tattoo requires energy from your immune system to heal, and your immune system requires resilience to fight exposure to illness, so it’s necessary  to be healthy when getting tattooed, to follow the care instructions and to make good choices during the first few days of healing following the tattoo.
ONGOING AWP PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS
  • ALL studio hours, appointments, booking timelines and protocols are subject to change. If you have an appointment, be sure to check your email for updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Our artists are trained in Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing through the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, which we re-certify annually (most recently 11/29/22) – including continuing education on COVID-19 transmission and prevention.
  • Everyone working at AWP is fully vaccinated – including boosters – and we mask. BOOM!
  • We clean and disinfect throughout the studios, including public and common spaces, before and after each client as well as at the beginning and end of each work day.
  • Artists will be wearing masks, gloves, scrubs or aprons and other PPE such as eye protection or face shields. Nothing to see here (or to take personally) – these practices provide protection to everyone.
  • We circulate fresh air into the studios and filter air 5x hourly with HEPA filtration in every workstation.
  • Studio air quality is monitored by C02 sensors, maintaining Co2 levels recommended by the CDC for COVID-19 indoor air quality.
  • Single service disposable set ups are provided for each and every client. That means items used during your tattoo appointment – from needles to pigment to ink caps – are all discarded at the end of each appointment.
  • Hand washing and hand sanitizer are available to clients throughout the duration of your appointment.
  • Artists will postpone appointments if we have been exposed to COVID-19, if we have reservations about our own health or if we feel unwell. Thank you in advance for your understanding if we need to reschedule. Be sure to check your email for appointment updates prior to traveling to the studio.
  • Our artists and studios are licensed by the Minneapolis Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • We’re card carrying Professional Members of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
Two things we’ve learned over the last two years is the only constant in life is change,  and that we are ultimately interdependent. Expect protocols and studio hours to change as we continue to encounter new variants, and expect restrictions to come and go dependent upon the quality of choices people make.

We’re big fans of science here. If you’re uncomfortable with any of these protocols, feel free to respectfully inquire for clarification and/or to postpone/reschedule your appointment. Questions? Just ask.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT and PATIENCE! We deeply appreciate everyone who sent emails of support and encouragement as well as making purchases of our merch and gift cards during the Shut Down and the Uprising. We cannot thank you enough. You are literally THE BEST.

Be Well,  take good care of yourselves and stay awesome!

~ Awen and Matt

Art With a Point Vaccine Requirement Effective 8/3/21

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Art With a Point’s Vaccination Policy

All tattoo appointments require either proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination – preferably including the booster – or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the prior 72 hours. 

What forms of proof are accepted?

Proof of vaccination may include a physical CDC vaccination card or a clear digital image of a CDC vaccination card. The card must be completed showing a full course of vaccinations – preferably including a booster – and the card must match the client’s ID. Allow a minimum of 14 days between your most recent shot and your tattoo appointment so that those antibodies can focus on kicking COVID butt.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test may be a printed or digital test result that matches the client’s ID.

What if I am not vaccinated?

At Art With a Point, health and safety come first. For that reason we strongly encourage vaccination. Individuals who are unvaccinated may provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to their appointment and a state issued photo ID.

Do I still need to wear a mask?

Yes – everyone is required to mask your mugs for the duration of your time in the studio.

Why is this protocol necessary?

This protocol is one more tool to help ensure the safety of our clients and our artists. We are aware that these requirements do not eliminate the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 and its variants. No one single protocol will. However, layering multiple protocols – particularly vaccination, testing and masking – is proven to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

Locate and schedule a free walk in PCR (most accurate) test.

Order two FREE at home antigen test from the State of MN.

Locate an at home Antigen test to purchase.

What if I lost my Vaccination card?

We gotchu. Go here.

Where can I find more info on the Vaccine in MN?

Right here Yo.

COVID-19 Information

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Art With a Point is currently closed due to COVID-19.

MN Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-08, “closing all places of public accommodation”, including all Body Art studios. The order is in place through at least 5/3, and likely to be extended.

How we are helping:

We support the measured approach Governor Walz and the Mn Department of Health (MDH) are taking to address this Pandemic. We are in communication with and actively monitoring updates from the MDH and CDC as well as health officials in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Governor Walz has proactively requested recommendations from industry professionals on what protocols we already have in place to protect public health and what additional protocols we can put into place specific to COVID-19. The tattoo industry already practices strict prevention of disease transmission controls and we are exploring what additional protocols we can implement to enhance our existing standards. Tattoo artists and health officials in MN have a long history of working together. This proactive request from the State, and our timely response to them, is another example of collaborating to prioritize and benefit public health and safety. With this information, the State and the MDH will determine the timeline for future phasing in of reopening businesses.

Art With a Point proactively closed prior to business restrictions going into place, and donated all of our gloves and face masks to Hennepin County for distribution to Health Care workers. Tattoo artists across the nation have also donated – CNN interviewed Awen on 3/26.

Current Appointments:

All appointments are currently suspended. While COVID-19 determines its own timeline, we each are responsible for doing our part to slow the virus and flatten the curve by Staying at Home, wearing masks in public, social distancing, washing hands consistently and avoiding touching our faces. When Governor Walz lifts the business restrictions, when we receive a determination from the MDH and CDC that reopening is reasonably safe – and additionally, when our artists determine that it is reasonably safe – we will reopen. We will wait to reschedule appointments until we have a definitive date to reopen.

THANK YOU…

… for your understanding and patience. We know that you’re looking forward to your new ink! We are too! This is a difficult time for everyone, and in many different ways. As self employed artists, who love what we do and who miss our clients and community, closing the business is challenging both financially and creatively. And still it’s a no brainer. We have a responsibility to care for one another.

In the meantime, we’ll continue posting new and archived art as well as studio updates on Instagram (@artwithapoint, @awenink, @marvelousmatt) and Facebook (Art With a Point and Tattoos by Marvelous Matt). Find us there and keep in touch! If you’d like to support the studio, check out our online store where you’ll find AWP merch, gift cards and other assorted goodies. Thanks again for your support!

Be patient. Be kind to yourself – and to others. We can all use more kindness.

Be Well!

Awen