ALCHEMY TATTOO ACADEMY
Forging the new gold standard standard of tattoo education
Our Mission
MISSION STATEMENT
At Alchemy Tattoo Academy, our mission is to transform aspiring artists into confident, skilled, and creative professional tattooists through comprehensive education, hands-on training, and a commitment to artistic excellence. Based in Portland, Oregon, we blend traditional artistry with modern techniques, fostering an environment where students can develop their craft under the guidance of experienced, industry-leading instructors. We are dedicated to cultivating not only technical proficiency but also ethical practice, safety, and respect for the cultural heritage of tattooing. Our goal is to empower graduates to leave our academy prepared to contribute meaningfully to the tattoo industry, uphold the highest professional standards, and express their unique artistic vision with skill and confidence.
Meet the Team
Our staff have over 40 years of collective experience to provide an exceptional learning curriculum for teaching you the full spectrum of knowledge of tattooing
Jake Pooler
Jake Pooler is an award-winning tattooer with more than 17 years of experience in the tattoo industry. Specializing in both black and grey and full-color realism, Jake’s work is defined by meticulous detail, strong composition, and a deep understanding of light, texture, and form. With a fine art foundation that includes formal training in painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, Jake brings a classical, disciplined approach to tattooing.
As a lifelong artist, Jake has made a successful career as a tattooer and shop owner, fueled by his passion for the art of tattooing. As Lead Instructor of Alchemy Tattoo Academy, Jake will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of advanced tattoo concepts and techniques that will set them up for success as they enter the tattoo industry. As a mentor and educator, Jake is dedicated to elevating the standards of tattoo education. He is committed to training the next generation of tattooers with the same rigor, professionalism, and artistic discipline that have defined his own career.
Bryan Black
Bryan Black is a Portland-based tattooer who has been around the tattoo industry since the 1990s and has been licensed since 2018. His background includes years spent immersed in tattoo shop culture, tattoo history, and the practical realities of the profession.
At Alchemy Tattoo Academy, Bryan serves as an instructor with an emphasis on tattoo history, skin disorders and diseases, needle making, line work fundamentals, and the ins and outs of coil tattoo machines, along with foundational shop practices. His teaching focuses on safety, ethics, and respect for tattooing—helping students understand not just how to tattoo, but the responsibility that comes with working on human skin.
EDUCATIONAL & VOCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Alchemy Tattoo Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality education in the art and craft of professional tattooing. Our program is designed to equip students with the artistic skills, technical proficiency, and professional standards necessary to excel in the modern tattoo industry.
educational objectives
Foundational Knowledge - Develop a deep understanding of tattoo history, theory, styles, and symbolism to inform artistic decision-making.
Artistic Development - Strengthen drawing, design, and composition skills, with an emphasis on translating creative concepts into tattoo-ready artwork.
Technical Mastery - Train students in the safe and effective use of tattoo equipment, pigments, and skin preparation techniques.
Safety and Sanitation - Instruct in industry-standard health and safety protocols, including cross-contamination prevention and proper sterilization, in compliance with state and local regulations.
Professional Ethics - Instill a strong sense of client respect, confidentiality, and professional responsibility.
VOCATIONAL objectives
Industry Readiness - Prepare students to transition into professional tattoo studios with the skills to meet client expectations.
Portfolio Development - Guide students in building a diverse, high-quality portfolio that demonstrates both technical skill and artistic versatility.
Business Competence - Introduce students to the fundamentals of tattoo shop operations, client communication, appointment scheduling, and basic business management.
Career Sustainability - Provide strategies for ongoing artistic growth, professional networking, and adaptation to evolving tattoo trends and technologies.
By combining rigorous artistic training with practical industry preparation, Alchemy Tattoo Academy aims to produce well-rounded, highly skilled tattoo professionals capable of contributing to — and thriving in - the contemporary tattoo industry.
The facility
Located on MLK Blvd & Broadway, our ground floor shop offers a private garage, and all facilities are ADA compliant. Our Academy offers all the amenities of a modern state of the art tattoo shop. This includes modern and classic tattoo machines, fully articulating tattoo specific chairs and beds, an immense collection of high end color and black and grey inks, large Wacom tablets on multiple computers, adjustable ring lights and natural light sources. We provide students with a USB drive with a wealth of information collected from some of the premier names in tattooing. This resource is the students to keep and include written texts, lectures, as well as tutorials to help students along their educational journey. We also offer a large collection of both classic art and tattoo literature for students to use within the facility.
