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Red Deer Tattoo Show begins

Event runs until Sunday at Westerner Park
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Colt Obst, with Koala-T Ink, is one of the many artists at this weekend’s Red Deer Tattoo Show at Westerner Park. (Photo by Sean McIntosh/Advocate staff)

Tattoo artists from across the country are in Red Deer this weekend to show Central Albertans what they can do.

The first-ever Red Deer Tattoo Show began at Western Park Friday with an adults-only day and will continue with all-ages days on Saturday and Sunday.

“I’m very appreciative of the response I’ve gotten (in Red Deer),” said Ash Woods, show organizer.

“When I was doing my marketing and trying to get people involved and on board, the city was very happy to have an event like this. They were thoughtful and appreciative – it was really nice to see. I’ve enjoyed working in this city.”

Woods said the artists at this weekend’s show are extremely talented and the types of tattoos they produce vary in style, she added.

“It ranges from your tiny, teeny black-and-grey fine line and all the way up to your full-colour portrait,” said Woods.

“There’s such a diversity of artists here. I’ve got over 110 artists from across Canada. Some of them have flown and travelled over 20 hours to be here to hang out with everybody for the weekend and share their artwork.”

The event is for “art lovers,” Woods explained.

“It’s for people to see what’s out there in the world. Sometimes you forget how many amazing creations are out there and how much artistic ability some people have. It’s nice to be able to come to one venue, see it all in one room and get inspired for your next tattoo,” she said.

Woods owns a tattoo shop in Lethbridge that was shut down four times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID definitely has put a strain on the industry,” said Woods.

“We’re trying to get back to where we were and show people we’re still here and we still want to create and tattoo you.”

While this is the first time Woods and her husband Will have brought a show to Red Deer – the two have been hosting an annual show in Lethbridge for 15 years. They host an annual show in Victoria, B.C., as well.

Woods said she hopes to make the Red Deer show an annual event.

“We’ll see how it goes,” she said.

“Hopefully Red Deer enjoys the weekend and wants to see it again next year.”

For more information, visit www.reddeertattooshow.com.



sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com

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Sean McIntosh

About the Author: Sean McIntosh

Sean joined the Red Deer Advocate team in the summer of 2017. Originally from Ontario, he worked in a small town of 2,000 in Saskatchewan for seven months before coming to Central Alberta.
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