Artomat

2010-02-23T03:23:00.009-05:00

Did you watch the ball drop last night?

What? That was 6 weeks ago?

Well, compared to previous years, it has been unusually busy here at AIC and 2010 has been a blur. We just shipped off machines to Dallas and Minneapolis. Machines for Omaha and Virginia Beach are under the knife. Also, venues spanning from the Northeast to the Southwest may soon follow. So, a total of seven machines could install before the end of spring. Whew. The official premier dates of these machines are still being worked out. You will be the first to know.

But, one thing that we have yet to do is thank all of our 2009 hosts for taking our project under their wing. These venues are:

The Studios of Key West (Key West, Fl)
The Compass Group (Charlotte, NC)
The Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland, FL)
Create Here (Chattanooga, TN)
The Longview MUseum of Fine Arts (Longview, TX)
Tiny Studio (Kalamazoo, MI)
Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR)
Vision Gallery (Chandler, AZ)
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)
City Arts Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
Reynolda House Museum of American Art (Winston-Salem, NC)
Cellar 101 (Fuquay Varina, NC)

We are honored to have these venues as machine hosts.

Here are a few other items worth mentioning�.

Jennifer Watson's Art-o-mat� collection was pictured in the February edition of Family Circle.

Family Circle - click here
www.luminhaus.com - click here

Art-o-mat was featured in a book about vending machines by Christopher Salyers.

Vending Machines: Coined Consumerism - click here

Last, we would like to congratulate Wilber H. "Chip" Schilling for winning the 2010 Minnesota Book Artist Award.

Minnesota Book Awards- click here

The Gutenberg of the North Loop - click here

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-12-16T01:43:00.004-05:00

OK City Install this Thursday...

Hi There!

This Thursday, we will install our last Art-o-mat� of 2009. If you live in/around Oklahoma City....let's hang out. If you know of any artists in the area who may want to get involved...nicely prod them into coming out. I (and the City Arts Center crew) will be on hand to explain the project and convey how artists can have their work sent to venues across the U.S. and even a few machines farther away. The opening will be from 5:30 to 7:30 at City Arts center.

City Arts Center - click here

News OK Interview- click here

Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-11-26T02:29:00.018-05:00

T-Giv Highlight

Hi There!

November is the time to give thanks. In regard to Art-o-mat�, we are very grateful to all of the artists who allow us to represent their work. For this newsletter, we would like to highlight prototypes that arrived earlier this month. We sincerely hope that these artists will send an edition soon. ;)

November Prototypes - click here

Please note that within this photo set there is a new series by Sandra Williams. She just delivered an edition of paintings titled "49 of my favorite Americans and one Canadian". This is a really tight series...

Sandra's series - click here

Also....We have received word that Christian Andrew is close to delivering another "Modern House in a Box" edition. Here is a teaser video.

Christian Andrew video - click here

One last note. We will be kicking off our first Arizona Art-o-mat� on December 2nd. Our host will be The Vision Gallery in Chandler, Az. The opening reception will be from 6:00-8:00pm. Hope to see you there!

Vision Gallery - click here

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-11-13T15:35:00.002-05:00

Art-o-mat at Reynolda House Museum

Hi There!

Reynolda House Museum of American Art is currently hosting an Art-o-mat� machine through the holidays. This bright red, buzzing, art delivering contraption will be on site in conjunction with "Now/Then: A journey in collecting contemporary art at Wake Forest University." The exhibition features more than 50 works from the Wake Forest Student Union Collection of Contemporary Art by renowned artists including Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Robert Rauschenberg, and more. See it - and the new Art-o-mat installation - at Reynolda House through Dec. 31, 2009.

Reynolda House Information - click here

Also, just in time for the holidays, we have a few new offerings on our online store. So, if you are in need of stocking stuffers, either visit your local machine or www.shopartomat.com - click here

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-10-20T00:58:00.009-04:00

October 2009 Artist's Highlight

Hi All.

October is here. The temperature shifts, it is questionable if the lawnmower will be used until spring, the Minnesota Vikings are 6-0 and Secca is literally installing public art on billboards and in trees [you may need to google that one]. Anyway, it is just all extremely unsettling. ;)

With that said, we would like to highlight a few Art-o-mat� artists making work that is perfect for the season.

Click here for a reference pic.

From left to right...

Anne Thalheimer (Holyoke, Ma) creates Wee Monsters. These are small monsters with bug eyes and sharp teeth. However, they are fiber works filled with lavender. So really, they can just smoosh you to death. But, if you are allergic to lavender...then...beware! She also makes monster hats....

mymonsterhat.com...click here.

Andrea Brill (Winston-Salem, NC) creates mini spaceships that reign terror across the land. To accompany her Art-o-mat work, she has created a mini movie.

Attack from Planet X -14...click here..

Bob Cook (San Marcos, TX) paints famous and semi-famous monsters/robots on wood. We are happy that Bob gave props to Fred Gwynne aka....Herman Munster.

www.bobcookart.com...click here.

Toby Millman (Miami, FL) creates serigraphs/screenprints of space ships and aliens. Some actually glow in the dark!

www.tobymillman.com...click here.

Michael Westmoreland (Amarillo., TX) has sculptures based on "Aperture Science..The Cake is a Lie". To be honest, I am out of the loop on this one. But, it seems like people are being sucked through portal holes and whatnot. Spooky.

www.scarabart.net...click here.

John Adkins (Miami, FL) has a new series with a third eye bleeding over another eye. Enough said.

John Adkins blogspot...click here.

Last, there are 3(ish) upcoming Art-o-mat machines to mention for 2009. There is always a potential "rabbit in the hat" ya know. ;) Anyway, one machine is done, another is 75% finished and the last one is still dissected into many parts (insert scary screech noise here). The venues will be.....

Wake Forest University, Bensen Center. Installed and ready!
Vision Galley, Chandler, Az. To install mid November.
The City Arts Center, Oklahoma City. To install in December.

Sincerely,

AIC

2009-09-17T17:34:00.006-04:00

Recent Art-o-mat� installations and press.

Hi There

The Art-o-mat� machines recently installed in Longview, Texas, and Forest Grove, Oregon. are being well received. We would like to thank our hosts and patrons for all of their positive energy towards the project. Also, Art-o-mat� made the "Best Of" lists of both Austin and Dallas, Texas.

An Article from The News Times, click here.

An Article from The Pacific Index, click here.

Photos from recent installations, click here.

Voted Best Of" in Austin", click here.

Voted "Best Of" in Dallas", click here.

Locally, we just installed a machine at Edward McKay in Winston-Salem. We are honored to have this cool bunch as a host.

Edward Mckay, click here.

Last, a blog by Sceneless City....

Sceneless City, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-08-29T13:23:00.005-04:00

Second Art-o-mat� in Oregon!

Art-o-mat Kickoff and Slide Talk
September 3rd, @ 7:00pm
Taylor Auditorium
Pacific University
Forest Grove, Oregon

Clark Whittington, the founder of Art-O-Mat will also be giving a lecture about the machine and how artists become part of the fun. If you have any questions please email Patricia Cheyne at cheynep@pacificu.edu

To find our more about Pacific University, click here.

For a sneak peek of their machine, click here.

Sincerely,

AIC

2009-07-23T15:01:00.001-04:00

Art-o-mat to pollinate Kalamazoo with art

Hi There!

We like this analogy better than the "Swords into Plowshares" thing.

Kalamazoo Gazette Article by Simon Thalmann

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-07-16T01:15:00.003-04:00

Thanks Tom!

Hi Everyone:

On a somber note, we lost one of our most prolific Art-o-mat� artists last week. Tom Rohr was a potter and teacher in Pleasant Hill, Oregon. In addition to his creativity and skills, he was a cool guy.

For the Art-o-mat project, Tom created a series called "ARTBAR". These were small faux chocolate bars made of clay that also served as an anagram game. If the letters pressed into the clay spelled ARTBAR, the buyer would receive one of his larger works from Pleasant Hill Pottery. Just recently during our premier of our Polk Museum machine, a buyer purchased a lucky ARTBAR.

Happy ARTBAR recipient, click here.

Since his involvement in our project, Tom would always keep us well stocked with his work. I called him once to express my concern that his production could lead to burnout and I also wanted him to feel comfortable with the $$ return that he received from Art-o-mat. Basically, he laughed and said that Art-o-mat was nowhere near "worth the money". But, he believed in our mission and that being involved in the project made him happy. He would joke around with Carol and say that he and the "Oompa Loompas" would watch baseball and wrap ARTBARS.

Tom's Family Tribute Page, click here.

Pleasant Hill Pottery, click here.

We are very grateful to have had Tom involved in our project.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-07-15T17:22:00.005-04:00

Made In The Triad: Art-O-Mat!

Hi All!

WFMY News 2 recently featured Art-o-mat� on their ongoing series...Made In The Triad.

To watch the video, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-07-07T00:49:00.006-04:00

Post 4th Randomness.

Hi All!

Here in the studio...the week after July 4th normally means that we need to get our ducks in a row for upcoming fall installations. Summer is our quieter time which allows us to address some loose ends as well as work on new machines.

Over this past weekend, we finished a machine that will soon install at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Or. This machine will premier early fall.

Pacific University Art-o-mat�, click here.

However, before that kickoff...we'll be installing a machine at the Tiny Studio in Kalamazoo.

Tiny Studio Art-o-mat�, click here.

Also, we recently were interviewed by an arts and culture newspaper in Mexico City. Hopefully, our friends Diego and Jonathan will help us translate any subtleties that online free translations tend to miss. ;) Anyway, it would be nice if a few new artists from far away became involved after this review.

Excelsior Article, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-06-23T12:51:00.006-04:00

Recent Art-o-mat� installations and press.

Hi There

The Art-o-mat� machines recently installed in Longview, Texas and Forest Grove, Oregon are being well received. We would like to thanks our hosts and patrons for all of their positive energy towards the project. Also, Art-o-mat� made it in the "Best Of" lists of both Austin and Dallas, Texas.

An Article from The News Times, click here.

An Article from The Pacific Index, click here.

Photos from recent installations, click here.

Voted Best Of" in Austin", click here.

Voted "Best Of" in Dallas", click here.

Locally, we just installed a machine at Edward McKay in Winston-Salem. We are honored to have this cool bunch as a host.

Edward Mckay, click here.

Last, a blog by Sceneless City....

Sceneless City, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-06-03T22:27:00.005-04:00

Yes. Clark is wearing a dress. Actually, a Skirt!

Hi There!

Even though I loved when Bugs Bunny & Benny Hill would shift into cross dressing, I personally have never found the nerve. However, when our peeps at Skirt! requested that I throw on one...I could not say no.

OK, just click on the @#$% link.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-05-20T14:02:00.011-04:00

Art-o-mat� Kickoff at the Polk Museum of Art!

Hi There!

This Saturday (10:30am) we'll be installing our first machine in Lakeland, Fl. (Tampa Area). Our host will be the Polk Museum of Art. We are very happy to have this venue as a part of our network.

We'll be doing a slide that that covers the origin and development of the project. Artists who are interested in being involved are invited to hang out afterwards to discuss the "Nuts and Bolts" on how to make effective Art-o-mat� work.

For more information, click here.

here is some recent press...

Bay News 9 Story, click here.

Hope to you you there!

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-04-12T01:01:00.010-04:00

FLYP, Create Here, DSVC, Canteen, Etc...

Hi There!

Dogwoods are in bloom. That means the studio is busy. ;) Here are a few things that are going on.

We were recently featured on FLYP. "Ka-ching! You're an art collector". This is a very interesting and well designed online magazine. There are many Art-o-mat� artists represented in this article. The video of Herbert Hoover casting pewter was a nice visual. It truly represents how much of a human touch goes into making work for the project. The image of Butterfinger napping out is pretty much part of our day to day here in the studio. The dude knows how to relax.

FLYP "Ka-ching! You're an art collector", click here.

Next week (Saturday, April 18th)...Art-o-mat� will return to Tennessee! Our host, Create Here, is an innovative organization focused on economic and cultural development in Chattanooga. This machine will be one of the brightest machines that we have produced since our Detroit community machine. It is a beautiful Magenta(ish) pink. The kickoff will take place from 5:30-7:30pm. Open to the public.

Info about the kickoff, click here.
Info about Create Here, click here.

On may 6th at 7:00pm, I (Clark) will be discussing Art-o-mat� with the Dallas Society of Visual Communication. FYI, I was born into Graphic Design and did that thing until Art-o-mat learned how to walk, talk, eat, p@@p, etc....thus, requiring my full attention. This will be the first time the project has been presented to "peeps" from my former profession. Uh.."peeps" was specifically in reference to the holiday timing of this news posting.

DSVC.org, click here.

One more host plug. Canteen, the largest vending company in the country, now has a bright cyan blue Art-o-mat. This machine will be in their H.Q. while periodically breaking out for trade shows, national meetings, events, etc. Their machine can be seen in the the FLYP video. We are very happy to have Canteen as a machine host.

Canteen, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-02-28T22:57:00.005-05:00

March Artists Highlight

Hi There!

It is cold and rainy with a possible chance of snow. Makes for a good time to stay indoors and feature some new art. Let's begin with an instructional video by Robyn Wells. Basically, we often encounter people who have a difficult time wrapping their minds around what we sell from our machines. Well, Robyn has done a good job of explaining her Art-o-mat work. Click, sit back and enjoy......

Robayre video, click here.
Robyn's site, click here.

Other artists we have on board are Mia O (Tokyo, Japan), Clyde Oishi (Honolulu, HI) and Lori Love (Keller, TX). Also, Dean Konop just sent us a sneak peek of his upcoming presidential series.

New Work, click here.

On more of a host note, Krankies Coffee was featured on UNCTV's North Carolina Weekend. Their segment is in the Feb 26th episode in & around the 20 minute mark.

Krankies on NC Weekend, click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2009-02-19T01:54:00.008-05:00

Key West and Miami Installs

Hello!

Earlier this month, we officially kicked off our Art-o-mat� machines at The Studios of Key West and The Lowe Art Museum. I (Clark) gave presentations at both venues where local artists were invited to stick around afterwards, discuss the nuts & bolts on how to produce Art-o-mat work and become involved in the project. Some had prototypes in hand!

The machines have been well received. It is an honor to have these two venues as machine hosts.

Pictures from the installations, click here.

Coverage by the Miami Herald, click here.

After the work was done, it was time to kick around some. The exhibit at TSKW by Thomas Mann was very personal.

Thomas Mann at TSKW, click here.

Before leaving Miami, we were lucky enough to catch "Otherworld". This exhibit by Guerra De La Paz is at Carol Jazzar Contemporary Art until March 10th. Such a beautiful show and a nice way to round out the trip.

"Otherworld" at Carol Jazzar Contemporary Art, click here.

Shifting topics. Wonderroot, our new venue in Atlanta was featured on local news. The segment did a good job at conveying their mission of community building.

Congrats Chris, Witt and the Wonderroot crew! click here.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2008-12-31T10:59:00.005-05:00

Art-o-mat® Recent Press

Hi Everybody!

Tuesday morning, we received an email from Keith (an old college bud). The subject line said..."Dude - Artomat on Today!" So, we eventually found an interesting segment on the Today Show website titled "Museum-Minded Hotels". Our machine at the Chambers received some nice words from Peter Greenberg.

Museum-Minded Hotels, click here!

Also, we are featured on page 14 of the January issue of Southern Living magazine. So, please check it out.

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2008-12-10T03:38:00.016-05:00

Cleveland County Arts Council Install...and another sweet Miami host!

Hi There

2008 is winding down and we would like to announce our last two installs for the year.

Last Thursday, we installed a machine at the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, NC. This vintage 22 column National "Ebongold" machine now has a home in a former Post Office turned arts venue. The town square is very reminiscent of the set from "Back to the Future". There is a courthouse in the middle of the square (the future Earl Scruggs Center) that has a working clock tower, various cafes littered about and many beautiful buildings that will be around long after the nearby malls are leveled. There is positive energy happening in Shelby and we are very happy to the the Arts Council as a host.

A few pics from the install

Also, just in time for Art Basel, we installed a machine in the Miami Art Museum. We are extremely happy to have this museum on our venue list! Our official Miami host, the Lanster Family, made this happen and we are appreciative for their ongoing support of the project. They manage two Art-o-mat machines. One is currently at the Lowe Museum which is affiliated with the University of Miami.

In light of the above, we would like to thank all of our new machine hosts from 2008 (and a few current hosts who got new machines). This is a great bunch who fully understand that the proliferation of pocket size, affordable works of art can be a positive thing for their community.

Miami Art Museum
The Studios of Key West
Lowe Art Museum
Venue Ballard Studios and Boutique
Art251 Local Art Space
Wonderroot Community Arts Space
Krankies Coffee
Utrecht Quality Art Supplies and Alex Khost
Cleveland County Arts Council
Hutch and Harris
OOP!
The Living Room Salon and Art Gallery
Purveyors of Art and Design Materials
Workhouse Arts center

On a side note, we were recently informed that Noah Scalin has a book of his "Skull a Day" series. We were lucky to have an edition of this series sized down for the Art-o-mat�.

Noah on Martha Stewart
The Art-o-mat� series

Sincerely,

AIC

2008-12-02T02:07:00.006-05:00

Post T-Giv Wishbone

Hi There

Yesterday, we here at AIC were introduced to the term "Cyber Monday." Ok...whatever.

But, this seems like a good opportunity to spread the news that Herbert Hoover was listed in the 2009 New York Times Holiday Gift Guide.

Click here to see the article.

The approach with this year's guide is sensitive to the state of the economy as it suggests affordable options for this holiday season. If you haven't noticed, we kinda have the affordable thing mastered. But, many of our artists have websites to promote their larger, more involved work. If you are looking for something unique and hand-made while avoiding the hectic big box store...please explore our our artist's personal websites. Several have etsy or gallery links. If you like a particular artist's work (and if they do not have store or gallery links )...a direct email requesting more information about their art would just make their day.

Click here to find out more about our artists!

However, here are a few direct links to get things rolling.....

Lulu's Stabby Critters
Crye's Creations
Krushart.com
Barcodeart.com
Pleasanthillpottery.com
Artwork By Imelda
Weenerware
Dean Walsh
Cory Pitcher
Nikki Wheeler
DeftGurl's Work

Last, many of our hosts have all sorts of cool, affordable stuff.

Official Art-o-mat� Venues

Sincerely,

AIC

2008-11-25T19:35:00.008-05:00

Art-o-mat sentenced to the Workhouse

For Immediate Release:

On Friday, November 7th, a very hardened, former cigarette vending machine was delivered to the Workhouse Arts Center for rehabilitation as an Art-o-mat�. During processing, documents were presented which proved that this machine's former residence was, of all places, a university dormitory. [Insert crowd gasp, gavel bang, order! order! here]. The machine maintains it's innocence and states the evidence was planted....

OK. Enough with the jokes.

Seriously, the Workhouse is now a machine host and they definitely have a "Swords into Plowshares" thing in common with us. This organization has repurposed a former prison (something normally considered worthless/negative) into an incredibly positive cultural hub for the community of Lorton, Va. Their doors opened in September. Even during this early stage of their conversion process, approximately 100 artists already have studios in the various buildings. We met with several of their artists during the installation and we hope many will be involved in our project. We did not take pictures of their work out of respect for any intellectual property concerns. But many are referenced on the Workhouse website.

The place is exciting. If you are traveling along I-95 south of Washington, DC...we suggest taking a break to check it out.

For the record, this machine was the roughest one we have ever converted into an Art-o-mat. The machine appeared to have been broken into (during it's former life) by being toppled onto it's face. A "before" picture of the machine is posted on our Flickr site link below. A great body shop guy named "Tom" deserves quite a bit of credit for saving this machine from the crusher. An "after" picture that shows his expertise is also posted on that link.

Click here to see pictures of the install.

Click here to find out more about the Workhouse Arts Center.

Uh...one more. Unless paroled early, this machine will be at Workhouse for 20 years to life.

Sincerely,

AIC

2008-11-17T01:54:00.008-05:00

European Month of Photography

Hi there.

We were recently informed that our first (and only) Art-o-mat� artist from Vienna was selected for the European Month of Photography 2008. Achim Gauger creates a series titled "Greetings From" which are spontaneous compositions shot at notable sightseeing attractions using exclusively Polaroid film. He uses this photographic medium as it is somewhat perishable (compared to other photographic materials) and the images can fade...much like our memories.

21 original photographs from this series are in the show. To find out more:

Click here to visit the "Greetings From" website.

Click here to find out more about the exhibition.

Sincerely,

AIC

2008-10-15T15:00:00.007-04:00

Early Fall Art-o-mat� Update

Hi Everybody!

We have recently installed five machines for this upcoming fall. Two of these five have officially launched with art openings, workshops, etc. The other three are vending away and awaiting your visit. Their official machine premieres will happen on future dates to be determined.

These venues are:

Art251 in Keller, Texas www.art251.com, click here!

Venue Ballard in Seattle www.venueballard.com, click here!

The Studios of Key West www.tskw.org, click here!

Wonderroot Socially Conscious Community Arts Space www.wonderroot.org, click here!

Krankies Coffee www.krankiescoffee.com, click here!

We are very happy to have these new venues as machine hosts!

View pictures from our recent openings! click here!

Sincerely,

Clark and AIC

2008-09-12T00:02:00.001-04:00

September Artist Highlight

Hi there.

Everyday is kinda like a major holiday here at the AIC studio. We are constantly surprised with the new work that we receive. Also, we go through quite a few box cutter blades processing the new work and preparing it for delivery to our venues.

Here are a few artists that we unpacked today.

Click Here! What you will see is a pile of incoming shipments

The first series is documenting a unique presentation by Dewitt Young. He makes works from recycled computer parts.
Dewitt Young, click here!

The other box labeled "Kerplunk" is the new series by Rebecca Grantham. She creates wearable paintings from puzzle pieces. If you buy the whole edition...you could assemble the full painting.
Rebecca Grantham, click here!

Last in the series of pictures are works by "Artgasm". This is a collective of student artists from the University of Nebraska's Community Arts Class. There are some very innovative works in this series and we here at AIC were impressed. This group is a fine example of how an art school can use Art-o-mat as part of their lesson plan. How many students can say they have had work in an Art-o-mat in "insert arts venue or museum name here"? This is the second series from this group.

Our University of Nebraska Lincoln machine is at the Ross.

Sincerely,

AIC

2008-08-29T03:32:00.013-04:00

Limited Editions now available on www.shopartomat.com

Hi there.

Keeping with our mission of getting art into the hands of people, we now have limited edition offerings by Art-o-mat� artists. This section will evolve and our artists will produce works that will be a middle ground between their larger (more involved) works and the pieces you may find in our machines. With our entry level price point, this is the perfect platform where budding collectors and Art-o-mat� artists can create a relationship.

To check our what is happening!, click here!

Sincerely,

AIC