Converted cigarette machine dispenses original art works

Pacific University has one of four Northwest Art-O-Mats

By Amie Dahnke

The Forest Grove News-Times, Sep 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Fourth in Northwest

Today, about 90 (the number fluctuates, according to Whittington) Art-O-Mats polka dot the United States in venues both small and large. Pacific’s machine is the fourth in the Pacific Northwest, and the first in Portland, an area that has been on Whittington’s wish list for years.

“Portland is just a very neat, do-it-yourself area,” Whittington said. “I’ve tried for years to get one here but it always fell through.”

This time, a little stumbling through the Internet made Whittington’s wish possible. Christie Norbury, assistant director of human resources came across the Art-O-Mat web site nearly a year ago and forwarded the link to Cheyne.

“I just thought it was a neat idea and wondered what we could do about it,” Norbury said.

Cheyne took the lead, rounding up funds from various student and academic groups, including Pacific’s art department. “The more we found out about it, the more excited we got,” Cheyne said.

Making connections

Pacific’s machine will be the only one in the area for at least a year, thanks in part to a year-long exclusivity lease the university has rights to.

“We don’t want anything to get competitive,” Whittington said. “Art-O-Mat isn’t about marketing or making money. It’s about art and making connections. We’re reaching out to people who have never bought art before.”

Whittington believes that art should be “progressive yet personal and approachable” and a part of everyday life. Art-O-Mat encourages people to make art a part of their daily landscape.

“Today people who have never used a cigarette vending machine are using them, buying pieces of art,” Whittington said.

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2