The Resurrection Island Tattoo Convention is set to make its long-awaited debut at Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack from September 3-5.
Presented by Breaking Skin Tattoo, the convention will be the first of its kind for the Upper Ohio Valley. It’s also technically the second annual event, but last year’s inaugural convention naturally was canceled because of COVID.
“We have gone to multiple conventions,” Lexie Lopez of Breaking Skin explained. “And we maintain one of the best shops in the Valley, so the Casino actually approached us.
“They are amazed by everything we do and wanted to team up with us to put this on.”
That was 18 months ago.
Event organizers tried to hold on to the last second in 2020 to not cancel, but when West Virginia Governor Jim Justice declared in July that no large festivals were to take place, the group ran out of options.
“We want to hold this Labor Day weekend every year, and this should be number two,” said Dennis Gibson of Breaking Skin. “We pushed for it all the way until July when the governor said no to outdoor festivals. But all the work we’ve done will definitely make it easier planning for next year.”
Judging by the level of participation and the number of artists set to attend, scheduling for 2022 will almost be a necessity.
Lopez said more than 150 artists from across the country are set to descend on Wheeling Island, ranging from anywhere from Hawaii to Florida and even a few international artists. Some tattoo artists who have appeared on Ink Master or its spinoff shows will also appear.
A full view of the growing list can be seen here.
Three Full Days
While at its heart this is a convention and trade show, bringing together some of the top artists in the country, there’s far more going on here than tattooing.
Yes, there will be tattoo competitions in multiple categories, but there are live musical performances slated for each day, including Great White and Autograph set to take the stage Saturday evening.
Altared States and Tongue ‘N’ Cheek are performing Friday night with Stolen Stiches and Captain and Maybelle performing Sunday afternoon. The Monster Dolls will perform both Friday and Saturday.
In short, there’s A LOT going on for convention-goers to enjoy.
“We’ll have freak shows inside all weekend long,” Lopez said. “We have the bands, including Great White and Autograph on Saturday. There’s also the Monster Dolls, who do kind of a singing, undead performance with fire twirling on the outdoor stage.
“There will be multiple food trucks and a beer garden outside.”
Ticket prices vary depending on the day, from $30 on Friday and $20 on Sunday, to $45 on Saturday. Those looking to attend all weekend can do so for $70. They can be purchased here before the convention, and at the gate once it starts.
Admission grants convention-goers access to all events and performances going on, including the beer garden. The only things it doesn’t cover is food and refreshments—and any tattoos. Naturally that price is negotiated between the artists and their clients.
But make no mistake, tattooing will be taking place. This is a convention after all.
The artists list on the convention website lists contact information for the featured and attending artists. That way, if someone is hoping for a specific piece done or collaborated on, they can set that up ahead of time.
But other artists will be accepting walk-ups and doing pieces they’ve pre-selected whist during the convention.
“Some will be doing walk-ups, but they will be their designs that they want to do,” said Lopez, who recommends contacting any of the visiting artists ahead of time if you want something original and want to try to set up a time if it’s available.
This is also a family event. Children are allowed admission, and those 12-and-under will be admitted free. They are just not allowed anywhere on the casino floor, nor can they attend the Great White concert, as no one admitted under 21 is part of the band’s rider.
Planning the Finer Details
A lot of the leg work is out of the way, but Gibson, Lopez, and company are still ironing out details as the convention nears.
It’s actually taking a good deal of behind-the-scenes planning.
“We’ve kind of been sharing the workload with Wheeling Island,” Lopez said. “The biggest element is the convention, setting up over 150 artists with the health department, getting clearance and approval, scheduling flight pickups and hotels for everyone. That’s all on us”
“As far as the bands go, it’s been a split venture,” Gibson added. “They are easy to get a hold of. You get them a deposit and you’re set. But the tattooing side of this, it’s been 18 months of hard work.”
Lopez admitted she’s become on a first-name basis with the employees at the Ohio County Health Department and is in constant communication.
That hasn’t changed either with the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases with the Delta Variant either.
“I probably talk with the health department on a daily basis,” Lopez said. “We have a real close relationship.”
Gibson noted that because Breaking Skin is located in Ohio, he and his coworkers are used to following the Buckeye state’s more stringent rules and regulations when it comes to operating a tattoo shop. He’s also a self-admitted “OCD maniac,” so the convention staff has been dotting the Is and crossing the Ts for health safety.
There’s still a little work to do, but it’s more finishing touches type work than heavy lifting thankfully.
“All we’re doing now is continuing with the health department stuff and finalizing the layout,” Lopez said. “But we’ve had to change the layout a few times because we have so many people wanting to participate.”
Because of all the cancellations caused by COVID, more and more artists are wanting to participate and calling and making inquiries about space.
That’s a good sign as this convention has the potential to turn into a major event for the Ohio Valley.
The hotel portion of Wheeling Island has been booked solid this weekend for months. Other local hotels are offering discounts, plus shuttle service to and from the convention for attendees.
For more information visit the convention’s website or check it out on Facebook.
