A battle royale is brewing between Keller and Dallas. Oh, and this is much bigger than the collegiate rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma; stronger than the cultural rivalry between Ft.Worth and Dallas; and even more deep-rooted than the historic rivalry between Dallas and Houston.

Make no mistake, the situaton unfolding between Keller and Dallas eclipses the legendary rivalries between Road Runner and Wile E Coyote, Mac versus PC, Federer versus Nadal, Man U versus Chelsea, Boston Red Sox versus New York Yankees. Yes, this battle is on a par with Batman versus The Joker, and Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader.

I’m talking about the battle of the Art-o-mats.

You see, almost two years ago art251, right here in Keller, installed the very first Art-o-mat in North Texas. Now, the Big D is imitating it smaller, cuter neighbor to the west and playing catch-up by unveiling a rival Art-o-mat in North Dallas. On Saturday, May 15, only the second Art-o-mat machine in North Texas premiers at the new Whole Foods Market on Park Lane.

To honor this event art251 is hosting Mr. Clark Whittington on May 13, 6-9 pm, during our monthly Keller Gallery Walk. Clark is artistic impresario, chief-innovation-officer, head (TPB) supervisor of Artists-in-Cellophane, and the all-round creative spark behind the Art-o-mat. Then on May 15, Clark heads east to officially unveil the “rival” machine in Dallas.

I’ll let you decide which of the 2 Art-o-mat machines is the classiest. By the way, ours has been on the Rachael Ray Show.

Art-o-mat, art251, Keller

Art-o-mat, Whole Foods Market, Dallas

In case you don’t know what an Art-o-mat is read on. Art-o-mat is a machine. It’s actually a retired and lovingly restored cigarette machine that’s been converted to vend art. In 1997, Clark Whittington used a recently-banned cigarette machine to create the first Art-o-mat. He used the machine to showcase his own black & white photographs which he sold for $1 each. The concept proved so popular with the host of the first machine and other artists that the project soon took on a life of its own. Art-o-mat, the organization, has now grown to around 90 Art-o-mat machines featuring over 400 contributing artists from 10 different countries.

Mr. Clark Whittington, artistic impresario, grand poo-bah, chief-innovation-officer, head (TPB) supervisor of Artists-in-Cellophane, and the all-round creative spark behind the Art-o-mat will be “deconstructing” his invention at the Dallas Society of Visual Communication (DSVC) on May 6.

Clark will be discussing Art-o-mat to an audience of (ex-)fellow graphic designers at the CityPlace Convention Center in downtown Dallas. The event starts at 6pm.

In case you don’t know what an Art-o-mat is read on. Art-o-mat is a machine. It’s actually a retired and lovingly restored cigarette machine that’s been converted to vend art. In 1997, Clark Whittington used a recently-banned cigarette machine to create the first Art-o-mat. He used the machine to showcase his own black & white photographs which he sold for $1 each. The concept proved so popular with the host of the first machine and other artists that the project soon took on a life of its own. Art-o-mat, the organization, has now grown to around 90 Art-o-mat machines featuring over 400 contributing artists from 10 different countries. If you’re still not satified, check out Clark’s recent video interview with FLYP digital magazine, right here.

And, best of all we have a beautiful blue Art-o-mat machine right here at art251, in Keller. Remember, it only costs $5 to purchase an original work of art from the Art-o-mat. So, as Clark would say, “Don?t go ?round artless!”

Clark Whittington, National Bureau Chief for Artists in Cellophane, and brains behind the cult Art-o-mat, art vending machine, will be at art251 this weekend.

Friday, Sept.26 from noon-6pm:

For customers and artists, Clark will be talking about the program while we dish out some prizes, soda and snacks.

Saturday, Sept.27 from 10am-6pm (or later based on demand):

From 1-2pm and 4-5pm, for artists and anyone else interested in creating art for art-o-mat, Clark will give a talk about participating artists, how to submit your work, type of art that sells, specifications for your artwork. And, of course, your local hosts will be providing more soda and snacks.

art251 is one of only 5 locations in the whole of Texas to have an art-o-mat. The others are in Amarillo, Austin, Houston and San Antonio, so Keller ranks pretty well on the geo-artistic-cultural map!

Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are 82 active machines in various locations throughout the country. There are around 400 contributing artists from 10 different countries currently involved in the Art-o-mat project, which has been going since 1997.

Clark is always on the lookout for fresh work, so if you’re an artist, this is a great way to get your talents noticed. Art-o-mat artists range from new to well-established, and the art covers a broad range of original work including wearable glass pendants, flipbooks, barcode art, earrings made from computer parts, miniature bronze sculptures, oils on blocks, fabric art, photographs mounted on wood, bottle-cap paintings, and mobiles.

Our beautiful blue Art-o-mat machine has now taken up official residence inside art251.

The machine features cigarette-pack sized works of art from 22 emerging artists from around the globe, including Texas. The machine came to us from NYC (its previous home) via Winston-Salem, NC, home of the Art-o-mat organization and team of restoration experts.

We’re thoroughly enjoying watching our customers’ reactions to the Art-o-mat. Initially, most people don’t realize what it is or what is does, and some seem genuinely perplexed to see a “vending machine” inside a fine art space. Then, the coolness factor overcomes the questions and reservations, and our customers start asking for $5 tokens — each original work of art is only a $5 pull, and a firm one at that, away.

So, in a small way, art251 is making art more accessible through the art-o-mat. Another great benefit of our machine is that it enables us to expand significantly our inventory of art and roster of artists. Think about it, 22 artists with 5 works each, crammed into a 3ft x 4ft space! Galleries in New York’s Chelsea district take notice! Just imagine how you could reduce your astronomical rent costs with a few Art-o-mat machines.

Luckily I took this picture before my digital camera took its own life.

Our beautiful blue art-o-mat machine arrived at art251 on August 13. A brief visual chronicle of the day’s events below:

1. One big truck for small moves carrying the art-o-mat arrives from Winston-Salem, NC.

2. Two strong guys from Vintage Transportation deliver the still-wrapped art-o-mat.

3. Two same strong guys move the art-o-mat into position — it’s too heavy for your friendly gallery owners!

4. One not so strong, but very determined, young lady tries her hand at one of the pulls. No luck, she forgot the token! I think she went for art from the “capacitor dude”.

5. One of your friendly gallery owners greets the new arrival. It’s just like being a proud parent, again.

Our Art-o-mat machine, newly refurbished on the inside, refinished on the outside, and painted a deep shimmery blue will be taking up official residence in art251 in mid- to late-August. We are very honored to be the only Art-o-mat location in North Texas. Most of the other 90-plus machines can be found scattered around the U.S., in museums, boutique hotels and funky art spaces. Find ours (2nd row, 4th column).

Clark Whittington, National Bureau Chief of Artists-in-Cellophane, runs the Art-o-mat program from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Clark first came up with this crazy scheme in 1997, and has since recruited around 400 artists. As a sign that pop culture has caught up with the Art-o-mat program, I recently found that Clark has an entry in Wikipedia.

We do like food here at art251. Your friendly gallery owners can concoct some tasty, authentic Italian and southern dishes. (I’m from London, but the UK doesn’t really have a cuisine other than bangers and mash.) However, food is not our connection with Ms.Ray.

We are connected through Art-o-mat, our trusty, art dispensing machine, robotic gallery director in-training, and a work of art in itself. You see, our machine once lived in New York City, at Utrecht Art Supply on Fourth Avenue. Somehow it ended up on the New York-based Rachael Ray Show during a segment on cool vending machines. Check-out the Rachael Ray vid below.

Our Art-o-mat machine, the one seen here, will arrive at art251 by mid-August, shippers and gasoline prices willing. We can’t wait to give it a new home.

art251 is an official Art-o-mat location! In fact, we’ll be the only place in the whole of north Texas where you’ll be able to see, touch, listen to and purchase from an Art-o-mat.

Art-o-mat is brought to you by Artists in Cellophane, founded by father of the Art-o-mat Clark Whittington (a.k.a. National Bureau Chief).

Wondering what an Art-o-mat is?

No, Art-o-mat is not a hideous mechanical monster from a 1980’s Japanese horror flick. Nor is it a new-fangled robot that will clean your house from top to bottom and feed your family. It’s, it’s…

it’s a retired cigarette vending machine that has been lovingly restored and converted to sell art! Clark Whittington started this crazy scheme in 1997 in his home town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There are now 82 machines installed around the U.S. in museums, art galleries, cafes and other select locations. Each machine dispenses small packages of art from a selection of over 400 contributing artists from all over the globe. Each work is authentic and unique. Wondering what an Art-o-mat looks like? Wish to see more?