Affordable Art in A Cigarette Vending Machine: The Art-O-mat Legacy From Winston-Salem

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When the federal government required states to prohibit sales of cigarettes to minors in 1992, many states restricted cigarette vending machines to adult-only venues. In 2009, the FDA gained authority over tobacco, and the restrictions became national. Although they did not ban cigarette vending machines outright, they confined them to adult-only establishments, making them extremely rare until they eventually disappeared altogether. Who would ever think of recycling and repurposing those old metal dinosaurs?

An artist, innovator, and self-described retro-geek from Winston-Salem saw a way to bring original art to the masses with these old machines, at an affordable price, and the Art-o-mat was born.

How Did the Art-o-mat Get Started and by Whom?

Clark Whittington, a Graphic Designer, got the idea for using a vending machine to dispense art from a friend’s uncontrollable urge to buy a snack when he heard the crinkle of cellophane from someone else opening a purchase from a vending machine. He introduced his first Art-o-mat in 1997 as an art installation at a coffee shop in Winston-Salem, dispensing his Polaroid black-and-white photographs, mounted on blocks, for $1 each. The shop owner liked the machine and asked to keep it at the store permanently, and Clark knew he had a concept worth pursuing. The store owner introduced him to some local artists, and the group, Artists In Cellophane (AIC), was formed. AIC is the sponsoring organization of Art-o-mat. Their mission is to encourage art consumption by combining the worlds of art and commerce in an innovative form.

The original Art-o-mat machine is now housed at Delurk Gallery in Winston-Salem

How Many Machines Are There & Where Are They Located?

Currently, there are approximately 232 Art-o-mat machines worldwide, with over 200 located in the United States, and almost every state has at least one. The majority of the machines have Winston-Salem printed on them. There is an Art-o-mat at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, as well as six at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, and a few belong to private collectors. Winston-Salem has thirty-eight machines, more than any other location*. Here is where you can find them:

• St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street
• Artworks Gallery, 564 Trade Street NW
• Wise Man Brewing, 826 Angelo Bros Avenue
• Foothills Brewing Tasting Room, 3800 Kimwell Drive
• Visit Winston-Salem Visitor Center, 200 Brookstown Avenue
• Camino Bakery, 310 W 4th Street
• Camino Bakery Brookstown, 300 Marshall Street SW
• Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road
• Krankies Coffee, 211 3rd Street E
• Wake Forest University, Benson Center, 2120 Eure Drive
• Z Smith Reynolds Library, 1834 Wake Forest Road
• North Carolina Museum of Art (formerly SECCA), 750 Marguerite Drive
• Vincenzo’s, 3449 Robinhood Road
• Delurk Gallery, 207 W 6th Street
• A/perature Cinema, 311 W 4th Street
• The Historic Brookstown Inn, 200 Brookstown Avenue
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 1533 S Main Street
• Hotel Indigo, 104 W 4th Street
• The Ramkat, 170 W 9th Street
• Earl’s, 121 W 9th Street
• Joyner’s Bar, 854 W 4th Street
• Joymonger’s Barrel Hall, 480 West End Blvd
• The Whole Foods Market, 41 Miller Street
• Red Dog Gallery – AFAS Center for the Arts, 630 N Liberty Street
• Mojito Latin Soul Food, 723 N Trade Street NW
• JuggHeads Growlers & Pints, 4843 Country Club Road
• Hair Bomb Salon, 833 Burke Street
• Milton Rhodes Center For The Arts, 251 N Spruce Street
• Bailey South, Innovation Quarter, 450 N Patterson Avenue
• Silver Moon Saloon, 632 N Trade Street
• Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co, 772 N Trade Street
• Broad Branch Distillery, 756 N Trade Street
• Dram & Draught, 486 N Patterson Avenue, Suite 120
• 6th and Vine, 209 W 6th Street
• Radar Brewing Company, 216 E 9th Street
• Roar, 633 N Liberty Street
• Single Brothers, 627 N Trade Street
• Cheesecakes By Alex, 625 N Trade Street

Searching for an Art-o-mat or finding one when you’re out enjoying other activities is part of the fun of purchasing from them.

How Does The Art-o-mat Work?

The Art-o-mat looks and works exactly like the original cigarette vending machine it was, except it has artists’ names and designs displayed where cigarette brands used to be. The “Art-o-mat” is emblazoned and lit up across the top of the machine, with a place to insert your money to purchase one of the original pieces of art. The cost is $5. Some machines accept $5 bills, but they do not give change. Many machines accept a token, which is available from the bartender, cashier, front desk, etc., in exchange for $5. Insert your token or cash, choose the artist you wish to purchase from, pull that lever, and your piece of art will be dispensed.

What you receive will likely be a surprise; you only know what artist you have selected. 3-D art is packaged in small boxes, and 2-D art, such as paintings, is displayed on wooden blocks wrapped in acetate for protection. Types of art include:

• Paintings
• Keychains
• Wire Sculptures
• Small statues
• Jewelry
• Ceramic dishes
• Art books

It’s fun to pull the knob and hear your purchase land in the bin, and the anticipation of what you’ll receive adds to the excitement. All the art is accepted for Art-o-mat based on “effort, craftsmanship, and originality,” so you are sure to be delighted with your purchase.

Who Are The Art-o-mat Artists & How Do They Benefit

Art-o-mat and AIC invite artists of all skill levels to submit their artwork for consideration. New work is always welcome, and they make inclusion as accessible as possible. They have over 400 artists from around the globe, and they maintain an ongoing relationship with them. For artists, adhering to the specific guidelines for the Art-o-mat machines is the biggest challenge. The dimensions for the artwork must be no larger than a cigarette pack (2 1/8″ x 3 1/4″ x 7/8″). Art-o-mat sells materials for packaging to make the process easier for artists. The art pieces must be of the exact size and properly packaged to ensure the machines operate correctly. The artists can include contact information on the packaging, such as their websites, affording them more exposure and a means for the customer to follow them. The artists also receive half of the $5 purchase price, $2.50 for each piece sold.

My Personal Experience With Art-o-mat

As I was driving to the Z Smith Library on the Wake Forest Campus, I was surprised at how excited I was to see an Art-o-mat “in person” finally. Unfortunately, I failed to consider that the university library might be closed for the summer, so I was off to locate another machine. Whole Foods on Miller Road was my next stop. I found the Art-o-mat near the exit, and it looked as cool as I thought it would. I feel the placement isn’t very good. Once people are finished shopping, they want to get out. They are not interested in browsing. The bakery or deli would be a better location.

Selecting an artist was not easy for me. So many looked interesting, but the one that said “Serendipity” caught my eye. I inserted my $5 bill and pulled the knob. I have to admit, it was a thrill! A small white box slid out, which I wanted to open immediately, but I needed to wait to take a photo of it in the packaging. I found myself wanting to make another purchase… it was kind of addictive. Unfortunately, I did not have another $5 bill.

Once I opened the package and saw my piece of art, I was thrilled. It was a small book of watercolor paintings that were incredibly beautiful. The colors are alive and vibrant, then soft and serene. On the front is the word “Boundless,” and throughout are more words: Expansive, Limitless, New, and Inspired Ideas are Flowing. I am deeply touched by this miniature masterpiece, which is worth far more than the $5 I paid. It sits on a table in my living room, and I look forward to sharing it and its story with guests. Thank you to the artist, Vicay Tibbs.

What Is The Purpose Of The Art-o-mat?

The purpose of the Art-o-mat is precisely what I described above. To put affordable art into the hands of the average person who otherwise might not ever experience the thrill of owning a piece of original art. It is a statement that collecting art is not just for the wealthy or elite. You can own a unique piece that no one else has, created by an artist who may sell their other pieces for much more.

The Art-o-mat itself is a piece of art, or rather an art installation – an immersive, interactive display. A retro machine, recycled for a modern use. A vehicle to transport art from artists around the globe to many different, commonplace locations, like museums, breweries, galleries, markets, restaurants, and libraries. A means for artists to expand their reach and share their talent.

Find an Art-o-mat and give it a try. Each one is unique and absolutely worth the cost. Visit this page to see some of the machine designs, but it’s even more fun to go find them!

Art Is Everywhere In Winston-Salem

Residents of Winston-Salem are fortunate because we live in the city of Arts, so finding unique, original, affordable pieces of art here is always possible. Read our article about art galleries for places to look for that special piece.

Have you purchased from an Art-o-mat? Where was it? Tell us in the comments.

*Sources: https://www.vendinglocator.com/blog/art-o-mat-locations and https://www.artomat.org/portfolio-gallery/machines/

“Art‑o‑mat® is a registered trademark of Clark Whittington. This article offers history, locations, and information about the Art-o-mat®.”