Explore the rich and surprising history of women and tattoos in California at the Temecula Valley Museum’s newest exhibit, Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California History.  The exhibit will open to the public Friday, January 27, 2023.

While many may think of tattoos as a recent trend, inked women have a long history in California. From the working-class Tattooed Ladies who performed in circus sideshows to the upper-class inked women who helped popularize the tattoo craze; visitors will discover the largely unknown history of women and tattoos through photographs, personal histories, and artifacts. 

The exhibit will also feature a small selection of women’s clothing from the period from the museum’s archives. In conjunction with Tattooed & Tenacious, the museum will offer Woman of Ink, a free discussion and demonstration on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11:00 am -12:00 pm, from local female tattoo artist, Melissa Freeman, who will share examples of her work and discuss her experience as a female tattoo artist today.

Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California History will be on display from January 24, 2023 through March 19, 2023.  Museum hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The Temecula Valley Museum is located in Old Town Temecula (28314 Mercedes Street).  For more information, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org or call (951) 694-6450.