Mini Art Vending Machine with tiny art for $1 (at Inkwell Booksellers) – Credit: OneTiredArtist on IG
A Minnesota artist who wanted to do more to help her peers built and installed a “Mini Art Vending Machine” at a local book store.
Head inside Inkwell Booksellers at 426 E. Hennepin in Minneapolis, put 4 quarters in and turn the wheel, and a little envelope will fall down containing a mystery piece of art.
Each row features mini works by the same artist, whose bio can be read about on the left-hand side of the machine.
It might seem kitsch, but it’s a hit—almost 3,000 pieces of art have been sold in the vending machine, with every $1 going straight back into the artist’s pocket.
It was created by local artist Lilyan Lauzon, who goes by OneTiredArtist online and works as community engagement manager at Inkwell.
“For new and emerging artists, it’s really hard to find spaces to sell your artwork, and I wanted to make a project that was fun and collaborative for local artists,” said Lauzon.
The machine needs restocking every month with works from artists who apply for “gallery space” online. Lauzon told CBS news that she’s seen the vending machine be the catalyst that many artist’s can’t find elsewhere.
“Artists have told me that people have come to their art fairs to buy more of their artwork because of what they got in this snapshot of their portfolio,” said Lauzon. “There’s also been a few people who have had larger commissions come out from the mini art vending machine.”
MAKING ROOM FOR ART:
The machine only takes quarters, but the Inkwell staff have loads on hand to exchange for dollars.
Following the project’s success, Lauzon wants to see about getting a second vending machine to install at another location.
WATCH the story below from CBS News…
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