Charm City Tattoo Invitational Coming to Baltimore

First-of-its-kind convention celebrates the community and artistry of tattooing.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:02am

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The inaugural Charm City Tattoo Invitational is coming to Baltimore in May, bringing together tattoo artists from across the country for a three-day celebration of the tattoo community. The event will feature a free art showcase, local food vendors, and opportunities for attendees to get tattooed by renowned artists.

Why it matters

Tattoo conventions have historically played a crucial role in fostering connections and sharing ideas within the tattoo community. The Charm City Tattoo Invitational aims to capture that grassroots spirit, providing a platform for tattoo artists and enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the art form.

The details

The Charm City Tattoo Invitational will be held from May 1-3 at the Butterfly Room at Sandtown Furniture in Baltimore. The event will include a free art showcase, food from local vendors, and opportunities for attendees to get tattooed by artists like Jose Vigo and Egan Ryland. Organizers say the invitational is open to everyone, even those not looking to get inked, as there will be merchandise, paintings, and other items available for purchase.

  • The Charm City Tattoo Invitational will be held from May 1-3, 2026.
  • Tickets for the event are available now on the event's website.

The players

Andy Hefner

The owner of Transmission Tattoo Studio and a co-founder of the Charm City Tattoo Invitational.

Jose Vigo

A tattoo artist who will be participating in the Charm City Tattoo Invitational.

Egan Ryland

A tattoo artist who will be participating in the Charm City Tattoo Invitational.

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What they’re saying

“'Western tattoo conventions began as these smaller gatherings of like-minded individuals to share ideas way before the days of social media.'”

— Andy Hefner, Owner of Transmission Tattoo Studio and co-founder of the Charm City Tattoo Invitational

“'There's tattooers coming from all over the place. So, if you want to get a tattoo from this person and not fly to wherever their home is, you can catch them at the Charm City Invitational.'”

— Jose Vigo, Tattoo artist

“'Take that first lap, see who's there, see what they have to offer, see who has availability for that day if you're only coming for the one day. From there, you can make an educated decision of who you want to get tattooed by and at what time. I'm definitely going to get tattooed myself, hopefully a couple. We'll see.'”

— Egan Ryland, Tattoo artist

“'Even if you don't want to get tattooed, there will be people selling merch, T-shirts, paintings, buttons. For sure, you'll definitely be able to leave with something.'”

— Egan Ryland, Tattoo artist

“'I want people to experience what I think is special and powerful about tattooing.'”

— Egan Ryland, Tattoo artist

What’s next

Tickets for the Charm City Tattoo Invitational are available now on the event's website, and attendees can also purchase tickets at the Butterfly Room at Sandtown Furniture, the host location of the event.

The takeaway

The Charm City Tattoo Invitational aims to capture the community-driven spirit of the tattoo industry, providing a platform for artists and enthusiasts to come together, share ideas, and celebrate the art form. By bringing together renowned tattooists from across the country, the event offers a unique opportunity for attendees to get inked by their favorite artists without having to travel.