What is Art*o*mat®?

What is Art*o*mat®? Created by Clark Whittington in 1997, Art*o*mat® machines are retired cigarette machines that have been converted to VEND ART! For only $5 you can collect paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, mixed media and more -all the size of a pack of cigarettes. There are over 100 active machines in various locations throughout the country. Victoria Brown (that's me), and El Centro de Santa Fe are proud to host the first machine in New Mexico which debuted in February 2013. There are now 8 machines in northern New Mexico (Santa Fe and Albuquerque area). @ARToMatNM on Facebook/Instagram

Thursday, February 28, 2013

New Rack Cards for MAThilda

New informational rack card FRONT

New informational rack card BACK
Thank you, Corky Brown (mom), for designing these amazing point of purchase display rack cards. They arrived just after the installation event but are now sitting next to MAThilda in all their glossy splendor!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Opening Day: Our Installation Event with Clark Whittington

Artist/Founder, Clark Whittington poses with MAThilda and Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Artist since 2009, Kenny Goering
THANK YOU to everyone that came out on Saturday, Feb. 16th, to help celebrate the installation of MAThilda, the very first Art*o*mat® art vending machine in New Mexico!  We had a great turn out and it was so wonderful to meet you all and see your smiling faces, knowing you're just as excited as we are about Art*o*mat® finally coming to Santa Fe.  MAThilda looks great in her new home at El Centro (102 E. Water Street) so if you missed your chance to come and meet the artist/founder, we hope you'll drop by and check her out soon. El Centro hours are Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-4.

Artist/Founder, Clark Whittington, had a wonderful Santa Fe experience and he really enjoyed meeting all of the prospective artists that came to inquire about submitting their work.  He handed out sample box-and-block kits to artists (blank boxes and blocks give artists a precise sample of the size/shape that their art should be) and I have a few extras left so if anyone is interested in getting one, just email me (click on my username "Road Trippin Art*o*mat Hosts" under About Me).

I think my matching mini cupcakes and candy with MAThilda's sweet turquoise paint job made quite a (tasty) statement!
Bright turquoise was the theme for the treat buffet and MAThilda-matching mini cupcakes from Cocopelli Chocolatier enticed visitors. MAThilda performed beautifully and vended her new friends their very first pieces of Art*o*mat® art. Some tried-and-true fans also made the trek to visit our first New Mexico machine.  It was so good to see all of you and we really appreciate your support!
No party is complete without at least one minor disaster! Our closest power outlet wasn't working. Thanks, Dad, for driving all the way home and back for extra long extension cords to get us through the outlet-with-no-power-situation and allowing MAThilda to go online just in the nick of time!

Our very first customer!!!! Jennie Cooley puts in her fiver and makes a selection. Victoria is thrilled!

First Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Customer, Jennie Cooley, is pleased with her selection of a robot made from computer parts.

El Centro Manager, James Bottorff, poses with his Art*o*mat® art and its artist, Kenny Goering

Jacquie Duchane thrills in the swift acceptance of her $5 bill. Gotta love that her jacket matches MAThilda!

Rebecca Norris makes her selection, a ceramic pendant.

Another customer gives MAThilda a try.

This customer selected hand-cut mini papel picado.

Victoria, MAThilda, and (a VERY proud Dad) Laird Brown.