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MANSFIELD – Susan Fisher admits she doesn’t “have an ounce of ink” on her.

“Even so, I’ve gained a greater appreciation of the art form,” she said.

Fisher is a co-producer and founding member of INKcarceration, the music and tattoo festival taking place Friday through Sunday at the Ohio State Reformatory.

INKcarceration made its Mansfield debut last year and attracted 18,000 fans. 

“This year, we’re hoping to triple that,” Fisher said.

The festival generated over $6,000 for local charities and made an estimated $2.5 million impact on the local economy.

In April, INKcarceration was awarded Mansfield’s prestigious Tourism Award of Excellence.

“The job the crew at INKcarceration did coming out of the gate demanded to be recognized,” Destination Mansfield president Lee Tasseff said in a news release. “Our organization has worked with national events over the years, but nothing compared to the level of professionalism demonstrated in producing a head-turning concert event of the highest order. … The community can’t wait to witness this year’s festival.”

Some of the headliners include Shinedown, Godsmack and Five Finger Death Punch. They will be among 30 bands on two outdoor stages.

Other highlights include 70 tattoo artists, Reformatory tours, 15 gourmet food trucks and — as an added bonus — the haunted house attraction Escape From Blood Prison. It typically runs from the end of September to early November.

Tattoos are obviously one of the biggest attractions. “Wave” Judd runs Wave’s Raditattoo Me in Dayton. He says INKcarceration is the only festival he likes.

“They really focus on the mid-level tattoo artist. It’s hard not to like them for that,” Judd said. 

He calls INKcarceration “very unique.”

“It marries music and art together,” Judd said. “It’s an unusual dichotomy that doesn’t happen often.”

Fisher calls the festival the “perfect trifecta” of rock music, art and a historic landmark. She said ticket purchasers are coming from every state but Alaska, as well as from New Zealand and England.

INKcarceration will feature nightly tattoo competitions in 10 categories.

Judd has been doing tattoos regularly for the past five years. He said he always had a natural ability as an artist but worked other jobs.

“I took a roundabout way of getting here,” Judd said. “Most people don’t come from the professional world to tattoos.”

Judd said he specializes in tattoos ranging from military scenery to high-definition animals.

“I don’t like the pretentious, evil-sounding stuff,” he said. “That’s not my motif.”

One part of INKcarceration that Judd appreciates is allowing walk-up clientele.

“It’s really part of the tattoo experience,” he said.

Judd said he enjoys getting to rub shoulders with national music acts as well. He is particularly looking forward to Five Finger Death Punch, Seether and Shinedown.

But primarily, he will focus on his tattoo business.

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“Tattoos have given artists a way to make a sustainable income,” Judd said.

Being able to work at INKcarceration is a good way for an artist to build his client base.

“These guys really, really go out of their way to accommodate us,” Judd said.

Fisher said she is looking forward to seeing Live as a reminder of her college days. Live was a big part of the alternative scene in the 1990s.

Godsmack filmed a video at the Reformatory.

Fisher said fans will be blown away by the 110-foot main stage.

“It’s just incredible,” she said.

Single-day passes start at $85 and include a field pass for concerts, access to the tattoo convention and self-guided Reformatory tours.

The cost of a three-day pass is $199 and will include a field pass for concerts for the entire weekend, access to the tattoo convention and self-guided Reformatory tours.

For more information, go to www.inkcarceration.com.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

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