The Year in Review – 2020 and the Growth of the Vivid Ink community

The past twelve months may go down in history as the ‘year that shall not be named’. Kind of like a hex, or a curse you throw at someone. Something along the likes of ‘I hope you will spend the rest of your life in 2020’. While there has certainly been turbulence, and in no way are we making light of the individual and collective hardships the year has brought, we will choose to end it focusing on the good. 

Yes, it was a year when panic purchasing and internet comment sections showed us many variable traits in our fellow humans. However, it was also a year when communities, neighbours, and families came together (albeit at a distance) more than ever before. Let’s take a look at some of the good stuff – including the growth of the Vivid Ink family.

Parasite, empty shelters and badass rhino-saving dogs

The year of 2020 also saw many positive events. Africa was declared free of wild polio. The first foreign-language film – South Korean Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Parasite’ took home the Oscar for Best Picture. Dogs – including beagles and bloodhounds – trained to protect wildlife saved 45 rhinos from poachers in South Africa.

Inclusion and anti-racism movements gathered strength around the world. Animal shelters have never been emptier as people working from home have had time to adopt. Some hotels stayed open to house the homeless who repaid the favour by doing odd jobs. 

Historic ocean clean-ups and cards for Captain Tom in Yorkshire

Captain Tom Moore, who served in India during World War II, raised £15 million for NHS staff after walking 100 laps around his Yorkshire garden. Soon after, an eight-year-old from Wales started a social media campaign under #makeacardfortom for other children to make and share birthday cards for Tom’s 100th birthday. A Hawaiian group called the Ocean Voyages Institute made history when it removed 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastic from the great Pacific garbage patch in one single trip.

And then we have, in our world, two of the most exciting community events of the year. Despite it being the rollercoaster that it was – and continues to be – the Vivid Ink family grew with no less than two locations. 

Vivid Ink Wolverhampton

Vivid Ink Wolverhampton opened its doors in August as the 8th instalment of the Vivid Ink brand of reputable, recognizable, and generally amazing studios serving the West Midlands tattoo community since 2011. This studio located in the old Tattoo Palace space on Chapel Ash now houses our incredible tattoo artists plus resident piercing queen Lolly. 

Vivid Ink Derby

But it did not stop there. Early in December, the latest studio to bear the Vivid Ink name and quality guarantee opened in Derby. The entirely refurbished space sits right on the Alvaston high street. Resident artists Mike and Mart were off to an amazing start, and we cannot wait to see what they do next year. 

Next year will also see the addition of Vivid Ink Coventry in the lovely suburb of Earlsdon. It is so exciting to be growing the community even more with you in 2021! 

Happy New Year and Goodbye 2020!