Artistic Solidarity
Art4Aid Tattoo Benefit to Raise Funds for Victims of Recent Tornadoes
By: Charles Romans
The Ashland Beacon
In the aftermath of the recent and devastating tornadoes that touched down within our community and surrounding areas, the community of Boyd County is rallying together in a rather unique way to support those affected. Local tattoo artists are joining forces for the first-ever "Art 4 Aid" event where they will use their creative skills to help raise funds for those affected by the path of the recent storms which left some without a home.
Art4Aid will be held May 5 from 4:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. at the Boyd County Convention Center located 15605 KY-180, Catlettsburg. This ink-tastic event is sponsored by the Boyd County Community Economic Development and will feature on-site tattooing from some of the area’s most prominent tattoo artist, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks and a live auction. All proceeds will benefit local residents and businesses impacted by the recent storms and tornadoes.
Olive Hill native Garrett Carroll is the owner of Midnite Society Tattoos located at 5405 Roberts Drive, Suite 9 in Ashland. Carroll and his wife Kasey wanted to help local residents, and the idea just came to them. Carroll noted, “We were watching the storms on TV, and my wife looked over at me and said, ‘we need to do something to help.’”
Carrol has been a tattoo artist for about 20 years and has made many connections and friends within the business. Carroll explained that he has no real preference for the type of tattoos he does. His likes range from realistic black and gray or color to the more ‘cartoony’ images. “It’s all up to the customer,” Carroll stated.
Tattoo artists have held benefits in the past for community aid, and Carroll believed that it was time to bring the community together again. “Investing our time is all that’s required to help, and we are more than willing to give that time for our community,” shared Carroll. Carroll noted that other members of the tattoo artist community are every bit as responsible for making the event possible as he is himself. “The tattoo artist community is amazing. Everyone wants to give back and help and support the area. Our volunteers have been amazing as well. They have worked hard, and we really appreciate them because without them this event wouldn’t even have been possible.”
All the participating artists will be set up and ready to go to make your ink dreams come true. You can choose from previously prepared designs or even bring your own design as long as it isn’t too time consuming. “As of right now, we will have around 23 tattoo artists participating, possibly more by the day of the event. The proceeds from the event will go to The United Way and from there they distributed back into the local community,” reported Carroll.
If you would like to inquire about more information or to volunteer, you can visit Midnite Society Tattoos Facebook page or call them at: 606.331.8836.