Grand Opening: Chroma Tattoo and Art Studio in Downtown Jersey City

On March 7th, 2026, Chroma Tattoo and Art Studio opened its doors to the public. Located on 251 Washington St., Jersey City, just across from the United States Post Service Office, the tattoo shop offers contemporary tattoos ranging from all sizes and colors. During its grand opening weekend, the shop offered flash tattoos and received over 300 customers. 

The owner Alena Wedderburn, from Yakutia, Siberia, is a classically-trained artist who fostered a love for tattoo designs. She started doing tattoo art when she was a college freshman, tattooing her friends and colleagues in her dorm room. “I got my first tattoo when I was eighteen (a tattoo that reads “Never a failure, always a lesson” on the wrists of both her arms) and figured out I could do that as well,” she said. As a self-taught tattoo artist, she used her oil-painting skills and applied them to the art of tattooing, mainly as a hobby and a way to get money for her education. Later on, she decided to drop architecture school and went all-in on tattoo design. 

Wedderburn worked for the world-renowned Inked Magazine, specifically the INK New York City location, as a resident artist. She was also featured in the popular game show “Ink Masters” season 16 in 2014. Wedderburn focuses on large scale black and gray realism tattoos. Through all of her tattooing experiences, attending international women’s tattooing conferences and expos, she was able to gain friends and returning customers who valued her tattooing skills.

She and her family moved to Jersey City in 2021 because of how local and family based it was. “As more time passed by, I realized that I loved Jersey City so much that I didn’t even want to work in New York City,” she explained. She realized that there were not many tattoo shops, especially since the recent closing of J.C. Tattoo on 505 S. 10th st., Jersey City. She and three other tattoo artists opened the space as a way to bridge the community in Jersey City and allow more customers to find reliable tattooing services. “One of my greatest achievements is that my prices have been the same for the past four years,” Wedderburn explained. “I know how difficult it is to afford tattoos, for everyone around the world, so my main concern is supporting the customers.” On the second floor of the space is an art studio and lounge, where Wedderburn currently hangs her realism oil paintings. She plans to make it an event space for local artists, holding “sip and paints” and drop-ins for anyone interested. “I have no idea what this space will grow into,” Wedderburn remarked. “I am excited to see what our store becomes!”