Hailey by Bill Sienkiewicz

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 at least a dozen ladies had portrayed the sexy business woman/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. She has achieved record status of being the most-prolific and longest-lasting spokesmodel and 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.

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 the 2023 upcoming Kickstarter revised & updated edition) and her likeness was rendered in the gallery. The first Ms. Inkwell interview ever taken was run here. 2017 marks the first time that she has 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, making a record 10 appearances on the Inkwell Awards show tour. After her 21st consecutive appearance going into 2018 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. This year she celebrates Inkwells’ 15th anniversary!

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (July 28-30, 2023) Terrificon
Photos by Hailey, Filippo Marzo

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (April 14-15, 2023, Old School Comic Show)

Photos by Bob Almond, Marjet Cordon-Williams, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (July 29-31, 2022, Terrificon)
Photos by Bob Almond, others

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (June 9-10, 2022, Garden State Comic Fest)
Photos by Bob Almond, “Vinnie” and another

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (April 23, 2022, Old School Comic Show
Photos by Bob Almond & Marjet Cordon

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (June 14-16, 2021, Garden State Comic Fest)
Photos by Bob Almond

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

Hailey Skaza-Gagne (August 12-14, 2019, 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 (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 (TerrifiCon CT’s Terrific Comic Con August 18-20, 2017)
Photos by Bob Almond, Devin Silverio, Hailey, others.

 

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

Holly Black (Hartford Con – September 19-20, 2015)

Holly Black (Connecticut ComiCONN – August 14-16, 2015)
(Becomes The Terrificon in 2016)
Photos By Joe Goulart, Tim Estiloz and friends.

Holly Black (Heroes Con – June 19-21, 2015)
Photos By Joe Goulart, Others

PhotoShoot April 2015
Photos by Bob Almond