A convention celebrating the skill and artistry of tattoo artists is set to return to Chester this September with a special musical guest from the world of metal.
Chester Tatt Con will occur at the Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa on Parkgate Road on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1. The event will feature more than 60 tattoo artists and a dedicated piercer. Musician Benji Webbe of Welsh reggae-metal outfit Skindred will also play a special DJ set on Saturday at 5.30 pm.
Visitors over the age of 18 will be able to get tattoos from the best artists from around the area. Prizes will also be given for various categories, including the best black and white and the best color tattoo art.
Live music and entertainment will take place on both days. Those under 18 are welcome, with a host of child-friendly activities, including a bouncy castle set up on the grounds of the venue.
Food and drink will be available to buy, provided by the hotel, and there will also be a range of crafts stalls and drinks stalls, including unique alcoholic beverages such as small batch rums and vodkas.
Chester Tatt Con’s inaugural event featured a Roman theme, celebrating the city’s heritage, and this year’s visitors will be encouraged to dress up again with this year’s theme, steampunk. A £100 prize will be up for grabs for the best costume.
Organiser Chris Coldrick owns two tattoo parlors in the Chester area – Just Inked in Saltney and Ye Olde Ink Inn in Oswestry – and has won five awards for his artwork. He believes the city should have an event highlighting its talented tattooists like other nearby cities do.
“I’d always wanted to run one; I believe the last time Chester had a tattoo convention was around 25 years ago.
“There are conventions throughout the UK, but they often are town-based, and as a main city like Liverpool or Manchester, Chester should have its convention, so last year we decided to organize one.”
With tattoos increasing in popularity, Chris says that conventions offer artists a chance to show off their individuality and differentiate themselves in a growing industry.
“It’s all about allowing tattooists to promote themselves and increase their customer base. Promotion is a big deal as nowadays there’s a lot of artists; 20 years ago, there was a handful of shops in Chester, but now there are many more.”
The event will occur from 10 am on September 30 to October 1.
Further information on ChesterTattCon is available here, or search chestertattcon on social media.
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