BRAVERY IS REQUIRED. The 2025 Sawdust City Tattoo Invitational will be held from June 13-15 at The Brewing Projekt (1807 N. Oxford Ave.) in Eau Claire — with even more artists traveling from across the Midwest and nationally.

Ahead of this June's Sawdust City Tattoo Invitational, organizer Shannon Nordin said last year's inaugural event, hosted in Eau Claire, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both artists and attendees.

"Artists were expressing interest in returning in following years, and attendees couldn’t wait to see what future events bring," Nordin said, who also owns Eau Claire's Old North Tattoo (209 N Barstow St, Eau Claire). Many attendees were particularly surprised by the caliber of tattoo artists who traveled to our area, he added.

For Nordin, the art of tattooing and cultivating a community who appreciates the diversity of styles, are the central focus of this event. That commitment shapes the upcoming 2025 invitational, which will be held at The Brewing Projekt (1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire) once again June 13-15 — with even more artists and exciting features in store.

"Every artist is hand-selected based on unique characteristics that make them stand out in their disciplines."

SHANNON NORDIN

EVENT ORGANIZER, OLD NORTH TATTOO OWNER

For this year’s event, attendees can expect to kick things off with an opening party and art show on on June 12. "It will showcase attending artists' off-skin art and give people an opportunity to have a more intimate connection with selecting a potential artist," Nordin explained. This new addition provides a relaxed setting for attendees to meet the artists before getting permanent ink.

The 2025 invitational will feature 21 artists from seven states, bringing a diverse range of tattoo expertise. "One of the standout artists is originally from Florence, Italy, and others are part of the LGBTQIA+ community," Nordin shared.

The lineup includes artists like Jake Hodson, a master of fine line tattooing, and Horisora, a traditionally trained Japanese Tebori artist. "Every artist is hand-selected based on unique characteristics that make them stand out in their disciplines," Nordin added.

The invitational is free to attend and view; community members with an itch for a new tattoo piece are encouraged to book an appointment with featured artists in advance.

For those hoping to get tattooed at the event, Nordin recommends booking an appointment in advance to ensure their spot. "If there is an artist you prefer, book an appointment. Otherwise, you can walk up and see what (artists) have for availability," Nordin said.

In addition to tattoos, the event will offer more opportunities for community interaction. "People can meet and converse with all the artists on a more casual level," Nordin said. 

Reflecting on the inaugural event’s impact on Eau Claire, Nordin noted the strong support from both local and visiting attendees. "The community was very supportive, and I know several attendees came from outside Eau Claire to see the show," he said. "As Eau Claire grows, the hunger for substantive cultural events and top-tier art will continue to grow."

Nordin said he envisions continued growth for the Sawdust City Tattoo Invitational in the coming years, with the potential to add public seminars and live music. "We’re planning to bring in more artists, possibly from abroad, and continue expanding the art show," he said.

The Sawdust City Tattoo Invitational opening party will be June 12 with tattoos taking place June 13-15 at The Brewing Projekt (1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire). Keep up with the free-to-attend event on Instagram (@sawdustcitytattooinvitational) for updates.