It’s no secret that here on the coast we enjoy artistry of all kinds. We are a people so enveloped in “alternative” art lifestyles that they can hardly be called alternative anymore. Among the musicians, the comedians, the card dealers, the artists, and others there is a little kept secret unifying thousands across the coast: the tattoo. Many people love to express themselves right on their sleeves, or on their back, or on their calf. For over a decade now one event has sought each year to bring all of these people together, to introduce them all to the best tattoo talent in the industry. Of course, I’m talking about Inkin’ the Coast.
“We started it in 2009 or 2010, it was after Katrina.” Says President Arron “Nooch” Antonucci. “There wasn’t a whole lot going on on the coast, they were still rebuilding everything. We were seeing a lot of home made tattoos and stuff like that. I went to a tattoo show and I thought ‘this is really cool for the community in the area. Everybody shows up and gets to see all kinds of art. It’s not just tattooing, it’s sculpting and painting and crafts. It would be really cool to bring something like this to the coast’”
Since it’s founding this family friendly event has emphasized the fine art of tattooing while also allowing artists of all kings to meet each other and find new avenues of creativity. This years event will feature a large variety of vendors, a bounce house for the kids, and music from bands such as Crush, Dash Rip Rock, The Chitlins, and Dr. Finnegans Circus.
