Less Smoking - More Art-o-mat

The state of Arizona, where I live, enacted a statewide smoking ban on May 1. Smokers think it is another example of governmental intrusion into private life while non-smokers breathe (pun intended) sigh of relief.

Regardless of your position, it is a good time to get the 411 on the Art-o-mat. An art exhibition concept  turned into long term project, Art-o-mat celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2007. Congratulations to the organizers for the concept and longevity. This description is from the Art-o-mat Web site:

What is an Art-o-mat?
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.

What do you get from an Art-o-mat?
The experience of pulling the knob alone is quite a thrill, but you also walk away with an original work of art. What an easy way to become an art collector.

This is a wonderful re-use of retired cigarette machines. It's a way to create revenue for local arts groups. It's quirky, green, fun and helps promote visual arts. There's everything to like about Art-o-mat.

You may have noticed the growing trend in trading art cards, or ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals). The Art-o-mat is part of the trend. Trading cards have been around for centuries in one form or another, but the resurgence in the past decades for sports trading cards has inspired arists to create and trade or sell their own trading cards.