Self-expression is the rule...

STURBRIDGE — This year's Massachusetts Tattoo and Art Festival added platonic pole dancing to an eclectic trade show focused on the best ink-on-flesh creations. 

While hundreds of professional tattooers from far-away places and nearby converged at the Host Hotel for the eighth annual event, those getting special markings consider it an experience worth the physical pain and monetary cost. 

"It's personal expression and it's fun going through the process, especially when you have a good artist," said Don Amidon, as Cory John Heisson of Worcester was applying the needle to his arm. 

"It is therapy," Mr. Amidon, 46, of Hardwick added. "I didn't get anything on my body until I was 40." 

His friend Cheryl Douglas of Worcester said, "It's a different culture. People in the tattoo community accept everyone. There is no judgment." 

Miles Nozzollillo, who works out of The Tattoo Project at 149 Highland St. in Worcester, was busy with his ink and needle, creating a barn swallow with roses on the body of Danielle Brewster. 

Ms. Brewster was asked if getting tattooed was painful. 

"It depends on where" they go, she said. "I actually like the pain. It's like meditation." 

Mr. Nozzollillo said a tattoo such as the rose and bird typically costs $300. He said 80 percent of his customers are women, from 18 to 80 years old. 

"I can't picture myself doing anything else," he said. 

Rob Hill, 34, grew up in Alberta, Canada. He owns Prysm Body Piercings in Des Moines, Iowa. 

His face is studded with an assortment of piercings, including a gold barbell between his eyes on the bridge of his nose. 

"I wanted it, it was a fantastic experience, it was a learning experience." 

Mr. Hill said he stopped counting how many tattoos he had after getting 30 of them. 

He said piercing is about helping somebody achieve a goal. 

"I am happy. I have my own business. I make people happy — make their dreams come true." 

The alternative fitness and dance studio Escape Aerial Arts, LLC, located at Kelley Square in Worcester, provided a pole dancing exhibition at the annual festival. 

The organization holds classes in yoga, silks, aerial dance and pole dancing, co-owner Beth Peterson said. 

"It keeps me skinny, I'm in the best shape of my life (and) I'm stronger than my husband," said one of the dancers, who uses the stage name Kerri Ann. 

Legendary American tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle, 82, said he fulfilled a lifelong dream in January when he visited Antarctica and performed his craft. 

Mr. Tuttle said he has now tattooed people on all seven continents. 

"It was summertime," he said, recounting the southerly experience. "We hit 63 below at night; we spent one night upon a glacier." The retired tattooer said he attends regional festivals because "I have friends all over the world. I meet people here I don't meet anywhere else." 

Among his more famous customers were the comedian Flip Wilson and singers Janis Joplin, Jim Croce, the Allman Brothers and a well-known politician he declined to identify. 

Fiction writer D.D. Baines had a booth at the festival and was touting "Donna the Dead Presents Sex Ed. for the Undead." 

Ms. Baines, 29, of Holden said the 75-page work contrasts with most representations of zombies that eat and kill humans. 

"Rather than eating humans, all the zombies can have sex to live a healthy zombie lifestyle, without eating other people. It is good for zombie-human relationships." 

Zaza Ink Tattoo Shop of West Boylston organized the show that started Friday and concludes today. .