Art 4 Aid to benefit storm victims

Matt Jones, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
·2 min read

Apr. 14—ASHLAND — The Boyd County Convention Center will be abuzz on May 5.

The sounds of tattoo machines will fill the air as Art 4 Aid raises funds for those affected by the April 2 storms that ripped through the region.

"We are doing this to help our community," said Garrett Carroll, who organized the event. "Our community is in great need to help rebuild what was lost. In order to do so, we must come together as a community to answer this call."

Carroll's shop, Midnite Society Tattoo, is about a mile from the Ironville area where an EF1 tornado caused destruction. Seeing the damage first hand spurred him into action.

"I was looking at the damage (online). l went straight down the road and saw what was done to homes that where hit terribly hard so close to us," said Carroll, who quickly decided to use his talent as a tattoo artist to help those in need.

The event will feature more than two dozen tattoo artists doing both black-and-white and color tattoos. A large majority of the tattoos will be flash designs, or tattoos the artists have pre-drawn.

"Some of the tattooers are doing their (normal) appointments there," Carroll added.

The event will be first come, first served.

"We want to do as many as possible," Carroll said.

In addition to tattoos, the event will feature many other events.

Shelby Lore, Josh Brown and Klassic Klick will be performing live music at the event.

Knuckleheads Barber Shop will be doing haircuts at the event and food trucks will be on location to feed attendees.

The event will feature a wide variety of vendors, including oddities, T-shirt makers, artisans and craft makers, he added.

The event will feature a live auction of items for attendees to bid on.

Carroll said he is still accepting vendors, food trucks and donations.

"I'm going to take donations all the way down to the wire," Carroll said.

"We are still looking for physical volunteers for day of," Carroll added. "Contact us and we will add them to volunteer group where we are organizing the event."

The events will start at 4 p.m. and go until midnight.

Admission to the event is $5. Carroll said all proceeds from tattoos, admission and the live auction will benefit victims of the storms.

The event is hosted by Ashland City Commissioner Josh Blanton and sponsored by the Boyd County Community Economic Development.

For more information contact (606) 331-8836 or the event's Facebook page, facebook.com/events/7339032946191251.