Thanks to The Studios of Key West, the island now has an affordable way to acquire small works of original art (and help the community's elementary school at the same time)!
Visitors the the Armory at 600 White Street are discovering something unique, a red and glowing machine positioned in the foyer, announcing itself as the Art-o-mat. Converted from an obsolete cigarette vending machine, the Southernmost Art-o-mat joins over 80 others now dispensing small packages of original art from Portland, Oregon to London, England.
For $5, seasoned art buyers as well as novice collectors get the chance to acquire work by twenty different creative people. The objects inside are all original, unique, and hand-made for the growing network of Art-o-mat machines. It was all the brainchild of Clark Whittington, a Winston-Salem artist who began repurposing old machines from a tobacco-country warehouse ten years ago. Thanks to The Studios of Key West, his latest creation now greets visitors to the Historic Armory building.
And next month, local artists will have the opportunity to learn how to make and sell their items through the Art-o-mat network, now numbering over 300 contributing artists. TSKW and Whittington will offer a September 4 presentation and workshop about his project, and invite Key West's painters, sculptors, and visual artists to become part of this affordable art movement.
Besides making it easy for people to obtain and collect new original art, the Key West machine has been dedicated to help nearby Glynn Archer Elementary. Proceeds from each $5 sale will support the purchase of art supplies for the school, allowing the teachers and classes to expand their creative horizons. The Southernmost Art-o-mat is now on view in the main hall foyer of the Historic Armory. Tokens are available for $5 at The Studios of Key West office, inside the lobby.
