Published Jul 08, 2024 • 2 minute readArtist Joe Mater works on a piece for Nicki May at the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo at the WFCU Centre on Friday, July 5, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor StarTattoo guns were primed and buzzing.Thousands attended the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo, a travelling convention showcasing 80 local and international artists, when it made its first-ever stop in Windsor at The WFCU Centre over the weekend.The three-day event attracted enthusiasts and curious visitors alike, offering walk-up sessions, a range of tattoo styles, live entertainment, and for some, the opportunity to get inked for the very first time.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Sign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We definitely have people who’ve never been to an event like this at all, or even have a tattoo yet,” said James Wood, a local artist representing Advanced Tattoo and Piercing, a shop located downtown Windsor. Artist Joe Mater works on a piece for Nicki May at the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo at the WFCU Centre on Friday, July 5, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star“Then we also have people who are covered from head-to-toe. So you definitely get a mix of everybody. We’ve even seen little ones poking their head out of the stroller to see how busy it is, and then people who are a little on the older side.”Wood said he was happy that the travelling expo included Windsor as a stop on its tour, noting the city’s thriving tattoo history and community.“It’s good to see Windsor having more events, maybe something a little different than what we’re used to,” he said.This year, the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo made six stops across Ontario, including Barrie, Aurora, London, Niagara Falls, and Pickering. Artist Lucius Dupuis works on a piece for Nathalie Cote at the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo at the WFCU Centre on Friday, July 5, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star“We’re a smaller boutique kind of show,” said Inked Circus Tattoo Expo organizer Domenic Amatellio.“We wanted to bring our type of shows to more local communities, because they don’t get to see stuff like us very often.”With no shortage of options to choose from, he said some featured artists at the expo specialize in various tattoo styles, including black and gray, colour, neo traditional, realism, script, anime, and illustrative.Article content“People can come by and can get tattooed for the full three days,” said Amatellio. “All the tattoo artists are tattooing live all weekend.” Randolph Sisson gets a large back design put on by artist Will Smink at the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo at the WFCU Centre on Friday, July 5, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor StarAccording to Wood, both black and gray, as well as traditional, are the pair of tattooing styles that continue to remain “very much alive” in Windsor.Each day of the convention concluded with a competition among the artists, ranked by a panel of judges, who selected the best in each category.On Friday, Wood claimed the top prize for best colour tattoo, for a vibrant strawberry he had inked on his girlfriend’s leg.Amatellio said he intends to return to Windsor with the tattoo expo next year, featuring even more artists.mmazak@postmedia.com A portion of the Inked Circus Tattoo Expo is shown at the WFCU Centre on Friday, July 5, 2024. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor StarArticle content
Get inked: Windsor tattoo show spotlights local, international artists
