Ms. Inkwell Senior Spokesmodel – Hailey Skaza-Gagne (formerly AKA “Holly Black”) ACTIVE |

PROFESSIONAL BIO

A native of New Bedford, MA Hailey Skaza-Gagne was raised on pop-culture, becoming a comic book film enthusiast. Sharing mutual friends, she met artist Bob Almond while still in high school and their friendship led to Hailey volunteering as a cosplayer for Bob’s non-profit Inkwell Awards, allowing her to experience her first ever comic book convention in 2014. She assisted the organization’s spokesmodel Ms. Inkwell at the time for a year before graduating to the prestigious position herself in 2015. The role was created in 2010 by Bob and artist Randy Green and a dozen young ladies had portrayed the sexy business woman, celebutante/fashionista character before Hailey. Ms. Inkwell is the official Inkwell representative to the community and she meets and greets creators and the public at the conventions, requesting donations for fundraising, running the booth, explaining the non-profit’s mission and taking photo ops. Since 2015, when she was briefly AKA “Holly Black”, an identity she has since renounced, she has achieved record status of being the most-prolific and longest-lasting spokesmodel, having appeared at 24 shows and events to date. Thanks to her professionalism and fundraising achievements she was promoted to Inkwell senior contributor in 2016. She has moderated an inking panel at Garden State Comic Expo and done some public speaking at Heroes Con and the the scholarship ceremony at the Kubert School.

Hailey has successfully developed a relationship with and established an ever-growing recognition and trust with numerous artists, retailers, celebrities and the public thanks to her passion, enthusiasm and high-spirited personality. She was significantly covered in the 2016 Ms. Inkwell Gallery Book and her likeness was rendered in the gallery. The first Ms. Inkwell interview ever taken was run here. 2017 marked the first time that she had been recognized individually by show promoters, formally invited to conventions alongside Bob to represent the Inkwells and she began to receive professional Special Guest status at five shows that year. In 2016 she made a record 10 appearances on the Inkwell Awards show tour. After her 21st consecutive appearance going into 2018 (she had to miss two April shows due to a family emergency) she attended her 4th Heroes Con show for their 10th anniversary celebration and was awarded one of the first three Above & Beyond Awards for her record-breaking performance excellence. On Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Inkwell’s new host show at the Great Philadelphia Comic Con! she began a tradition of reading off the winners of the Above & Beyond Award. Her and returning spokesmodel Kathy Denise Taylor have become a well-organized team working together on the front lines and they’ve hosted for two awards ceremonies together now. You can reach Hailey via her Facebook page.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (June 29-30, 2019, Garden State Comic Fest)
Photos by Bob Almond

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (August 12-14, 2018, Great Philadelphia Comic Con)

Photos by Bob Almond, Hailey, Kathy, Jace Schloendorn, J.M. Clark, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (August 17-19, 2018, Terrificon)

Photos by Bob Almond, Sean Patrick Fowler

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (AUG 10-12, 2018, FAN EXPO BOSTON COMIC CON)

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (June 15-17, 2018, Heroes Con)

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (February 24-25, 2018, Fanfaire: Art & Design High School Parent Teacher Association)

No show photos were taken

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (December 08 – 10, 2017 Ace Comic Con Long island New York)
Photos by Bob Almond, others.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (November 18-19, 2017 New Jersey Comic Expo)
Photos by Bob Almond, Mike White, others.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Rhode Island Comic Con November 10-12, 2017)
Photos by Bob Almond, others.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (TerrifiCon CT’s Terrific Comic Con August 18-20, 2017)
Photos by Bob Almond, Devin Silverio, Hailey, others.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Boston Comic Con, August 11th-13th, 2017)
Photos by Bob & Others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Tampa Bay Comic Con, july 28th-30th, 2017)
Photos by Bob, Heidi (staff), James Fedora Mandeville & Others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Garden State Comic Fest, july 8-9th, 2017)
Photos by Bob & Others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Heroes Con, June 16-18th, 2017)
Photos by Bob Almond, John Butler, Joseph Burke, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Albany Comic Con, June 4th, 2017)
Photos by Dennis F. Rogers, Bob Almond, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Indiana Comic Con March 30-April 1, 2017)
Photos by Hailey Skaza-Gagne, volunteer Krista(?) and others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (TerrifiCon CT’s Terrific Comic Con August 19-20, 2016)
Photos by Bob Almond, Joe Goulart, others.

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Twin Tiers Comic-Con August 13-14, 2016 in Elmira, NY)
Photos by Bob Almond, & Holly Black

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (HeroesCon – June 17th-19th 2016)
Photos by Bob Almond, Grace Adams Moss, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (AlbanyCon – June 5th 2016)
Photos by Bob Almond and Mark Sinnott

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (Kubert School Ceremony – May 6th 2016)
Photos by Bob Almond, Mike Chen, Jim Reeber, others

Holly Black (Rhode Island Comic Con – November 6-8, 2015)
Photos by Bob Almond, Darnel Staley, others.

Holly Black (Albany Comic Con – October 4, 2015)
An unofficial Inkwell Awards show tour stop w/ Holly and Joe Goulart as reps. Photos by Mark Sinnott.