12
MIXED MEDIUM
JULY 13�20, 2022
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
Art-o-mat dispenses tiny works of art
By Lisa Britton
Go! Magazine
LA GRANDE — Something new is com-
ing to La Grande, and staff at Art Center
East hope it attracts people from all over
who are searching for one thing: Teeny,
tiny art.
It’s called Art-o-mat — a vending ma-
chine that dispenses artwork the size of a
pack of cigarettes.
Why that specifi c size? Clark Whitting-
ton, Art-o-mat founder, created the fi rst
machine in 1997 from a recently banned
cigarette machine.
There are now Art-o-mat machines
selling tiny art around the world. The La
Grande machine will be the fourth in Ore-
gon — there are currently two in Portland
and one in Eugene.
“We’ve heard people search for these
machines. It’s a good opportunity for
tourism,” said Darcy Dolge, ACE executive
director.
Dolge came across the Art-o-mat
website in 2017.
“I’ve wanted one for the art center
since then,” she said. “We’re so excited
about it. It’s a long time coming.”
When a machine in requested, Whit-
tington works with the host to customize
it based on the space. The one for ACE
will have a 1950s art deco style.
“He really caters the design to the
space it’s in,” Dolge said. “Each machine
he puts in so much love and character.”
She said the Art-o-mat will be installed
in late 2022 in ACE’s Gift Gallery.
The company adds more artwork when
needed.
“They restock the machines, just like a
vending machine,” Dolge said. “It’s a great
opportunity for the community to pur-
chase art, and for artists to become more
connected.”
She said the low cost of purchasing
the art — $5 each — is an aff ordable way
to acquire an original work.
“Become an art collector for $5
apiece,” she said with a smile.
ARTISTS WELCOME TO APPLY
An art vending machine needs art, and
Dolge is encouraging local artists to apply
to the program through Artists in Cello-
phane.
“It is prime time for artists to apply,”
she said.
The Art-o-mat roster has about 400
artists from 10 countries.
“These are big-name artists,” Dolge
said.
The application process is open year-
round. Once approved, an artist’s work
can be placed in any of the venues that
host an Art-o-mat.
Due to the machine’s original purpose,
artwork must be a very specifi c size: 2⅛
inches by 3¼ inches by ⅞ of an inch.
Art can be a solid piece, or a box con-
taining a small work.
“It can be any medium — it just has to
fi t in the space,” Dolge said.
To learn more about Art-o-mat, or
Clark Whittington/Contributed photo
An Art-o-mat vending machine similar
to this will be placed at Art Center East
in late 2022. Made from a repurposed
cigarette vending machine, an Art-o-mat
dispenses small works of original art.
to see the guidelines for applying as an
artist, go to www.artomat.org.
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