Tattoo exhibit comes to Greenport museum

Popeye would feel right at home at the East End Seaport Museum and Maritime Foundation’s exhibit, “Tattoo: Art of the Sailor,” during the visit of the Tall Ships to Greenport Harbor on Memorial Day weekend.

The museum will focus on the historical tattoo tradition of sailors, going back to Captain James Cook and his crew’s trips to various Polynesian islands.

As part of their own maritime community, North Shore locals will also tell stories of their tattoos during the event.

There will also be tattoo contests for the sailors aboard the visiting Tall Ships, said Keith McCamy of the museum and foundation.

McCamy said the theme of the exhibit is, “If you have a tattoo, thank a sailor.”

The opening reception will be May 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The exhibit, which will continue until June 30, will be held at the museum, which is by the ferry terminal in Greenport Village, close to where the ships will docked for the holiday weekend.

After a five-year hiatus, the waterfront village will host a three-day maritime festival in connection with the historic ships’ arrival, beginning May 26.

Tickets to board the Tall Ships can be purchased at the festival, or for $7 for adults and $5 for seniors age 65 or older (children 12 years and younger are free) online at www.villageofgreenport.org.