Atlanta Tattoo Expo Celebrates 16th Anniversary with Largest Event to Date (June 28th-July1st)

June 18, 2012 - PRLog -- In its 16th year, the 2012 Atlanta Tattoo Expo (formerly known as the Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival) is bringing to Atlanta the most notable list of featured tattoo artists and entertainment to date. Hosted by Sacred Heart Tattoo, the event will feature live tattooing from almost 100 of the best tattoo artists in the nation, live music with a special guest, seminars, tattoo and bikini contests, parties, shopping and much more. Visit http://www.atlantatattooexpo.com for details and to purchase tickets.

“We started this event in 1996 to give Atlantans the chance to be tattooed by their favorite artists from around the nation,” says Larry Rodriguez, manager of Sacred Heart Tattoo, Norcross. “Since starting the event in 1996, the support, excitement and the list of artists have grown each year.” Today, A.T.E. has become the premier event of its kind for the Southeast, with almost 3,000 people walking through its doors each day.

Dates and Times
VIP and Media party:  Thursday June 28th  (media passes available)
3pm-midnight: Friday, June 29th
12:00 - Midnight Saturday, June 30th
        -Live Bands: Digital Slumber Party, Foz Rock and Dixie Duncan play 2-6pm
        - Bikini Contest for $500 grand prize at 6pm
12:00 - 7:00pm Sunday, July 1st

Ticket Prices
$20 for one day, $30 for two days, $40 for three days
*Save 10% by preordering tickets online at http://AtlantaTattooExpo.com
Venue information
The Crowne Plaza
6345 Powers Ferry Road
Atlanta Georgia 30339

*Call 1-888-233-9527 to receive a discount hotel room rate of $99 (regularly $139), book  and mention “Atlanta Tattoo Expo”.

Tony Olivas Medical Fund
The Atlanta Tattoo Expo almost didn’t make it to its Sweet 16th this year because founder, Tony Olivas became ill with endocarditis this December . To  complicate matters, Tony contracted a Staph infection while hospitalized. . Tony was released from the hospital March 23rd, after a four month stay, grateful to be alive, but like many artists without medical insurance he is now facing insurmountable medical bills and requiring years of aftercare and months of physical therapy.

In order to pay for Tony’s continued medical  needs, his brother, Jose started the Tony Olivas Medical Fund (www. tonyolivasmedicalfund.org), and the support has been overwhelming. “Without the generosity of the tight-knit tattoo community, I couldn’t afford my daily medication and physical therapy,” Tony says. “The whole experience has been an overwhelming and humbling blessing.”

The outpouring of support has propelled Tony’s path to recovery and will continue to assist in his progress.  Jose and Tony are looking to make the TMOF a non profit foundation which will assist other uninsured artists that encounter similar circumstances. . A portion of proceeds from the 2012 Atlanta Tattoo Expo will benefit the Tony Olivas Medical Fund.

For more information, press passes or interview requests, contact Robyn Ware at (770) 940-7659 or robyn.ware@gmail.com