2008 Woodie Awards
Club Tattoo dress code includes ink and chrome
By: Sarah Moore
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Pulse
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Combining the elements of an exposition with a nighttime club atmosphere makes for a production unlike normal festivals.
The public will be entertained and guided toward parts of the building that spark each person's interests instead of wandering around numerous booths of one exhibit after another.
Among the festivities, there will be tattoo contests, piercing contests, an art fusion with tattoo artists from around the country, a cameltoe fashion show and music from The Twistin' Tarantulas and Bathhouse Betty.
In fact, all of the money made from the tattoo contest will be given to a children's charity. With the expected turnout of 300 to 500 people, that amount could be large.
Jay Jay, a tattoo artist at Permanently Scarred on West Sylvania Avenue in Toledo, inked many individuals in the music business, including Kerry King from the band Slayer. He helped Club Tattoo make the transition from Phoenix, Ariz. to Toledo.
"We used to do Club Tattoo down in Phoenix, where we'd all get together and have tattoo contests," he said. "We just thought we'd bring it here to bring something fun for the tattoo community in Toledo and surrounding areas."
This community has grown in number throughout the past years, especially due to the success of shows such as "Miami Ink."
"I even have grandmas coming in to get tattoos now," Jay Jay said. "I had a grandma come in that was 72 and got her first tattoo. She watched 'Miami Ink' and had thought about it forever. She finally decided to get it now before it was too late because it's one of the things she's wanted to do before she goes. I thought that was really cute."
Bob Tyrrell, one of the top tattoo artists in the world right now will be paying a visit from Toronto, Canada. On his Web site, Tyrrell spoke about his introduction into the tattooing world.
"Having an incredible artist for a father, I grew up wanting to be an artist myself," he said. "I'd wanted to get tattooed for years, and just shy of turning 30, I got my first tattoo. Of course, I was hooked and got my sleeves and a full back piece done within a few years."
Those that attend may not even be avid fans of body art and piercing. Some people may just be there to check things out, see the process and know what to look for when the inspiration comes to them.
Jeremiah Schoch, owner of Permanently Scarred, is looking forward to the sub-cultured exposition.
"It's a gathering of people that enjoy that stuff or are interested in that kind of thing," he said. "Hopefully we can all get together and have a good time."
The event will take place today at 7 p.m. There is a cover charge of $5.
For more information, visit www.permanentlyscarred.com.
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