Aly Cat is applying a tattoo to a client at Windy City Tattoo Show on Sept. 13. Photo by Justin Gyorfi.

For the seventh time Lethbridge has welcomed guests and artists from across Canada to participate and even compete in the annual local tattoo show.  

Local tattoo artist Aly Cat from Black Magic Collective, an all-female operated hair salon and tattoo parlour in Lethbridge, loves being able to support her city at events like this, showing off her art and being able to meet new clients.  

“I love conventions in general. I think it’s a great way to meet other artists and meet other clients, showcase your work, sell some of your merchandise as well. It’s a lot of fun and I’ve always wanted to support my city,” said Cat while giving her thoughts on why she decided to take part in the tattoo show. 

It might be surprising for some to find out that the Windy City Tattoo Show has been supported within this small-town southern Alberta community.  

Given the stereotypes of the region, it can shock some that a tattoo show is able to thrive here.  

Tattoo shows and similar events bring attention that allows for alternative culture’s to flourish while celebrating the weird, nerdy, queer and even hardcore communities of Lethbridge. 

With a primary focus on anime and video game inspired art, Cat can bring more attention to her art as well as show off how tattoos and the subculture around them are for more than just those who stereotypically would be considered less than reputable persons.  

“To show people that tattooing isn’t just something for crooks and criminals and things like that. That it can be all types of people,” Cat said speaking on the importance of events like the tattoo show for promoting tattoo culture, and alternative culture within the city. 

Besides those in the tattoo industry, there is still a want to share this form of art and creativity within the community. Tia Marie who was attending the show with her boyfriend, thinks events like the tattoo show are very important to the community, allowing for a more diverse image of the city, which elevates the prominence of different businesses here in southern Alberta. 

“I think events like this are super important for the community because they bring out a different kind of crowd that may not be in the general norm. It also brings a lot of different businesses to the area as well,” said Marie on the importance of the people of Lethbridge continuously welcoming events like the tattoo show year after year. 

At first glance Lethbridge feels like a straightlaced town, and at times it still very much is, but to those that yearn for more, for something beyond the mainstream, events like The Windy City Tattoo Show can feel like a diamond in the rough.