Lady Luck tattoo expo returns to Reno

Nick Caruso of New York works on a tattoo for Krystal Gerdes of Pittsburg, Calif., at the 2003 Lady Luck Tattoo Arts Expo at the Circus Circus Hotel-Casino in downtown Reno. (Credit: Liz Margerum)

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The Lady Luck Tattoo Arts Expo makes its way back to Reno for the seventh year this weekend, once again setting up shop at the Circus Circus hotel casino for three days of celebrating body art.

The expo starts at 2 p.m. Friday, and noon Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $10 each day. Find more details on the official site.

The Reno area is flush with tattoo parlors but also is within reach of Sacramento, San Francisco and Portland, which have their own thriving scenes.

Reno also has the advantage of gambling and bars that stay open late — if not all night.

"If you've ever heard the old saying, 'Stewed, screwed and tattooed,' you can cover it all in Reno," said Tim Azinger of M.O.M. Productions. M.O.M. puts on Lady Luck with the help of Lee Hanna at Dixie Rose Tattoo.

Azinger, himself a tattoo artist, used to work on the Meeting of the Marked tattoo convention in Pittsburgh and has seen the Reno expo develop.

This year, more than 60 businesses and artists will set up in the exhibition hall, including locals Dixie Rose, Absolute Tattoo, Body Graphics Tattoo, Nightmare Studios, Critical Tattoo of Carson City and many from California.

But businesses come from as far away as Columbus, Ohio, and Boca Raton, Fla.

Azinger said the number of participants makes it perfect for shoppers.

"The plus side to the event is that there are so many artists with different styles and specialties from around the world," he said. "You can find the perfect artist for the tattoo you want."

Aside from seeing the wealth of body art — both potential and already inked — there are other reasons for those not in the industry to attend. Different contests are held for tattoos people have alrady had done, and a daily contest also judges the best tattoo inked each day on the exhibition floor and awards $100 to the winner.

And there’s more on the floor than just tattoos. The expo also brings in non-tattoo art, photos, clothing and jewelry that jive with the body art style and culture.

There also are seminars for the artist and canvas alike. Topics range from realistic drawing to insider issues, such as OSHA health regulations.

After the convention fun, Friday and Saturday boast concerts at local bars.

Rockabilly band the Darlins play Friday at Studio on 4th, and Gearhead records hosts a full lineup Saturday night at Tonic.

Gearhead artists set to perform at the $10 show are Lords of the Altamont, the Mansfields, Vomit, Crank County Daredevils and Reno’s own Hellbound Glory.