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

Monday, November 24, 2014

Art*o*mat® Is Now In 4 Locations For You!


Greetings Art*o*mat® friends and fans! I now have four fabulous art vending machines for you to explore and enjoy! Last week I installed two new machines: in the Range Cafe in Bernalillo and in the Standard Diner in downtown Albuquerque.  Scroll down to past posts to see installation photos. Please visit my new locations -and come hungry because they're both really great restaurants. And since it's almost time to jingle those bells remember Art*o*mat® makes great stocking stuffers!
Christmas is coming and Art*o*mat® makes great STOCKING STUFFERS!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Art*o*mat Installed in Standard Diner in Albuquerque!



Standard Diner, 320 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM Open Daily 7am-9pm
Meet "Black bART"-a repurposed Nantional brand 1950's cigarette machine.

You can find "Black bART" right outside the hallway to the restrooms at Standard Diner.
"Black bART" will live under the Guy Fieri poster (to be replaced) from Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Standard Diner has several of its creative classic diner dishes with modern flair that Guy featured on his show.

A million thanks to Genie for helping me load/unload and set up again. I can't believe she was up to doing it two days in a row.  I am forever grateful to my friend (who is 72 -and she said I could say that!)

Standard Diner is on Central Avenue -old Route 66. Get your kicks -and some bacon-wrapped meatloaf!
The slick and swanky Standard Diner was once a tire store.




Thursday, November 13, 2014

Art*o*mat Installed in Range Cafe Bernalillo!

Range Cafe, Bernalillo 925 S Camino del Pueblo. Open Daily 7:30am to 9pm

Restaurant owner and long time Art*o*mat® fan Matt DiGregory tries the machine for the first time.


Here's "PlumMAT" tucked cozily into "her" corner of the foyer of Range Cafe, Bernalillo, NM.


I couldn't have done it without my awesome helper, Genie (on the right).
Hey there friends and fans of Art*o*mat®! I am SO HAPPY to report to you that today's installation in the Range Cafe, Bernalillo went smoothly and that "PlumMAT" is cozily tucked in to "her" corner of the restaurant's foyer -ready to meet new friends!  First of all I have to say a hearty "thank you" to Genie Schuller, my good buddy, who was available to help load and unload the machine. You're a life-saver, Genie! Let's do it all again tomorrow! Many thanks go to the wonderful Range employees, especially Angel, hostess Carmen, and Pamela from the gift store.  I am so grateful that I was greeted with enthusiasm and support for the Art*o*mat® program. They really get it! I think Range Cafe with all its artsy splendor is going to be a perfect host venue.  Genie and I enjoyed a fabulous lunch before heading back to Santa Fe to load up the black machine for tomorrow's installation in the Standard Diner.
Range employee, Angel, and I pose with "PlumMAT."
Range employee, Angel, and hostess, Carmen, dig their new Art*o*mat®!


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

NEW Art*o*mat® Machines to be Installed in the Range Cafe, Bernalillo, on Thursday and Standard Diner, Albuquerque, on Friday!

Here's a new Art*o*mat® with color-changing etched mirror who will live at The Range Cafe in Bernalillo, NM.
If you happen to be lunching at the Range Cafe in Bernalillo, NM this Thursday, November 13th, then you can meet New Mexico's third Art*o*mat machine. This gorgeous plum-colored early-to-mid-50's National brand cigarette machine has an amazing etched mirror with color-changing light effects that glow behind the UFO-looking hot air balloon design by Winston-Salem artist, Charlie Cook. It's really one of the more innovative design concepts I've ever seen in an Art*o*mat®. I plan to be installing this beauty around 11am if all goes well and "she'll" be hanging out in the foyer of the restaurant where hungry patrons wait for their tables and amazing food. If you're in the area come meet who I've been calling "PlumMAT."  The Range Cafe is located on old Route 66 in Bernalillo. 925 S Camino del Pueblo. Open daily from 7:30 am -9:00pm.
Meet "Black bART," the slickest muther of Art*o*mat® machines ever to grace New Mexico! Standard Diner, Albuquerque.
And if you're out to lunch on Friday, November 14th, you can meet the fourth edition to my Art*o*mat® family.  I'll be installing "him" around 11am at Standard Diner in Albuquerque. This early-to-mid-50's National brand cigarette machine is all shiny and black with turquoise and orange pinstriping.  "He's" a real black beauty but since I'm striving to have the words "ART" or "MAT" in the machines' names I'm calling "him" "Black bART." The slick design of this machine matches the vibe of Standard Diner.  The diner boasts creative modern takes on classic comfort food and "Black bART" fits right in with "his" modern take on a classic cigarette machine -serving up healthy doses of art!  You can't miss "him" on your way to the loo... Right under the poster of Guy Fieri. I think Guy would approve! Standard Diner is located at 320 Central Avenue SE in Albuquerque. Hey, isn't that Route 66 too? Cool! Open daily from 7:00am - 9:00pm. Come hungry!

Monday, October 6, 2014

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 2 More Machines Coming to New Mexico!

Greetings Art*o*mat® friends and fans! I am really excited to report to you that I am ready to announce the imminent arrival of TWO more Art*o*mat® machines. These machines will have Bernalillo and Albuquerque locations and I am pleased to be hosting them in a family of restaurants that I really admire. Artsy, hip, and serving really GOOD FOOD, The original Range Cafe in Bernalillo and its sister restaurant, The Standard Diner in Albuquerque, will both be getting 1950's National Brand cigarette machines-turned-Art*o*mat®-machines (the same design as "MAThilda").  Although I don't have any photos of the finished machines yet I can tell you that one looks like a slick black bad-boy cowboy boot and the other is a plum-colored ethereal hot air balloon/UFO theme -totally New Mexico! I'll post photos as soon as I get them and have a firm delivery date to report. Woo Hoo!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Our New Brochure Announces Two Art*o*mat® Machine Locations in Santa Fe!

The "MAThilda" side of the new brochure features Santa Fe's first machine, artwork, and all about the Art*o*mat® program.

The "CaveMAT" side of the new brochure features the newest machine, artwork, new artist info, and contact info.
Hooray! There's a new Z-fold 6 page brochure for Art*o*mat® in Santa Fe! I cannot thank my mom, Corky Brown, enough for her amazing design work. You can find the new brochures at each of the Art*o*mat® venues and also in the Brochure Distribution racks located at various hotels, restaurants, and points of interest throughout Santa Fe.

Friday, August 29, 2014

"CaveMAT" Gets a Visit From First Santa Fe Artist, Kenny Goering

The first Santa Fe Art*o*mat® artist, Kenny Goering, with "CaveMAT."
Today I received a lovely email from the very first Santa Fe artist to participate in the Art*o*mat® program: Kenny Goering. She has been a participating Artist In Cellophane for many years and is  shown here proudly standing next to the new "CaveMAT" machine in the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.  Her artwork is in the machine now so hurry up and get some of her abstract art on paper before it's gone!  She remarked that she looooves the paint job on "CaveMAT!" Thanks, Kenny, and keep up the good work! Hey artists: Kenny's husband customizes her wood blocks for her art and will make them for you (so you can save on shipping). Contact me, Victoria, and I'll connect you.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

New Art*o*mat® Article in Santa Fean NOW magazine!

Yay! An article about Art*o*mat® in the Santa Fean NOW!
I am pleased to announce that today Art*o*mat® was mentioned in an article in the new weekly events calendar magazine, Santa Fean NOW.  The article describes the project, announces the second location for my "CaveMAT" machine, mentions local participating artists, and invites more to join.  Let's hope lots of artists and art-lovers alike see the article and want to take part in the fun! You can read the article HERE.


Sunday, July 20, 2014

TWO Locations for Art*o*mat® in Santa Fe!

I'm pleased to announce there are TWO Art*o*mat® machines to visit in Santa Fe!
Hooray! Hooray! Now there are TWO in Santa Fe! After an amazing debut at ART Santa Fe, I am pleased to announce that my second community Art*o*mat® machine now has a new home at The Santa Fe Community Convention Center. You can find "CaveMAT" in the hallway just outside of the Community Gallery in the Community Building at 201 West Marcy Street.  Many thanks to all at the convention center and the Santa Fe Arts Commission that made this possible! You can visit "CaveMAT" seven days per week from 7:00am until 10:00pm, hours subject to change without notice.
"CaveMAT" greets you in the hallway next to the Community Gallery!



Friday, July 11, 2014

"CaveMAT" Debuts at ART Santa Fe!

Friday: Here's my booth in a very high-traffic area of the convention center -good spot!!!
It's ART Santa Fe! From July 10th -13th, the Santa Fe Community Convention Center is filled with amazing fine art installations from around the globe.  Art*o*mat® was lucky enough to be invited to attend this prestigious show and it is quite an honor! I am selling lots of pieces through my new machine, "CaveMAT," and having oodles of fun meeting new artists and giving them free Art*o*mat® pins and prototype sample block and box packs to inspire them to create work for the program. Oh, and it turns out that I've got one of the only booths that have a bowl of chocolates so that is adding to my booth's popularity for sure...  Here's some pics!
Friday: Good friends and Art*o*mat® Santa Fe supporters, David and Jacquie Duchane, along with some other new fans, stopped by to gaze on "CaveMAT."

Friday: Long time Art*o*mat® fans, Yi-en Huang and Tom McLaren visited from Gallup, NM
Friday: I couldn't have done it without the help of Supermom Corky.  Thank you for your support, the long hours, and the awesome Art*o*mat® "uniform" denim vests. They look so cool and professional!

Friday: New fan, Diane Stewart, shows off her purchase -a bunny rabbit folk art sculpture.
Saturday: Art*o*mat® fan since the '90s, Scott Hale, stopped by to see "CaveMAT" and wish us luck.
Sunday: Corky explains the concept of an art vending machine to a customer.

Sunday: Corky demonstrates where the bills go...

Sunday: Good friend, Rebecca Norris, stops by to sample "CaveMAT's" art.
Sunday: It's been a great show and we close the day with a group photo. Thanks, everybody!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Ta-DA! Santa Fe to welcome 2nd Art*o*mat® machine!

"CaveMAT" is coming to Santa Fe! Meet "him" at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center July 11-13!

I've made you wait to find out what I've been up to but here it finally is: Ta-DAAAA! Introducing "CaveMAT," the newest member of the Santa Fe Art*o*mat® family! "CaveMAT" is a 1960's National cigarette machine with 9 columns for art and an amazing paint job by Winston-Salem artist, Chad Beroth. Inspired by real cave paintings and petroglyphs along with the famous "Mel's Drive-In" from the 1973 movie, American Graffiti (there is a UFO shaped cave painting on the side of the machine that represents the flying saucer shape of Mel's Drive-In), Chad has created his own version of ancient American graffiti in this Art*o*mat® machine that I have adopted and nick-named "CaveMAT." All four sides of "CaveMAT" have been artfully decorated and I'm hoping to find a big ol mirror to place behind him so he can be seen in all his glory!

"CaveMAT" will make his debut at ART Santa FE, An International Contemporary Art Fair, July 11-13, 2014 at Santa Fe Community Convention Center. I hope you'll come to meet this fabulous member of the Art*o*mat® family and say hello to me too!  I'll have blank art sample packs to give away to artists interested in making art for Art*o*mat® and a few cool Art*o*mat® buttons to hand out as well. BE THERE: 201 West Marcy Street July 11-13, 11:00-6:00pm!
Check out the sweet Art*o*mat® sign in transparent orange plexiglass!
There's the "Mel's Drive-In" tribute flying saucer on the side!

Fall in love with "CaveMAT!"


Saturday, May 3, 2014

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! ...Coming Soon...

I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about Art*o*mat® in Santa Fe to make!  But it's coming soon and you'll have to wait...

Okay...here's a teeny weeny peek. But that's all you get!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

MAThilda Gets a Visit From a Hometown Friend

MAThilda enjoyed a visit from Janet Stanley (left) who came all the way from Washington State. Thanks, Janet!
A friend from my hometown of Tacoma, WA came to Santa Fe to attend the opening of the new FEAST show at Site Santa Fe and she was delighted to meet MAThilda while she was in town hanging with me and my folks. She's a long time customer and visitor to my first hosted Art*o*mat® machine, "MAT," in my gallery, BKB & Company.