On July 23rd, an Art-o-mat® original art vending machine installation found a home at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  This is the first museum in the Washington, DC Metro area to host an Art-o-mat. 

http://americanart.si.edu – click here
 
Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are 90 active machines in various locations throughout the country and abroad. 
 
Art*o*mat combines the worlds of art and commerce in an innovative form while working with artists to professionally present their work to audiences they would not otherwise reach. We believe that art should be progressive, yet personal and approachable. What better way to do this, than with a heavy cold steel machine?
 
The machine. This late 1950’s National Consoline Vendor was discovered in the outskirts of Nashville, Tn. It was redesigned, modified and restored by the Artists in Cellophane studio in Winston-Salem, NC.

To see pics documenting the machine transformation – click here

Now in operation, AIC is seeking artists for this machine as well as other machines throughout the network. Currently represented are artists from across the United States as well as handful of other countries. The artists represented range from small paintings, ceramics, prints, jewelry and conceptual ideas. AIC accepts submissions on an ongoing basis. Visit www.artomat.org for more information. 

© artists in cellophane 2010