Getting your art accepted by Art-o-Mat means following the rules and not “mass producing” your art.
If you are not familiar with Art-o-Mat and you are an artist that can work on small art, consider selling your work through Art-o-Mat.
Art-o-Mat is not a get-rich-quick or get-rich-quick ever scheme for artists. It is a way for artists to reach people in different parts of the country and gain exposure for their art.
What is Art-o-Mat
Art-o-Mat uses old and “retired” cigarette machines that dispense art instead of cigarettes. Currently artists can distribute their works in the more than 80 Art-o-Mat machines located in the U.S.
Most of the Art-o-Mat machines are in North Carolina and Virginia. They can also be found in California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and other states.
How to Get Your Two-Dimensional Art Accepted by Art-o-Mat
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 1. Follow the rules The prototype needs to be exactly as it would be if it were going to be vended in the machine. Two-dimensional artists will need to draw or paint on a canvas or paper that will fit on a 2 1/8″ x 3 1/4″ wood block.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 2. Cut or buy wood blocks cut to 2 1/8″ x 3 1/4″ wood block.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 3. Create artwork that can be part of a series
When you make the prototype, keep in mind that the pieces should all reflect you as an artists, yet be different enough to not look mass-produced. Besides following the technical Art-o-Mat requirements, this is the most important thing to keep in mind when creating the prototype.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 4. Make about 10 pieces
Once accepted by Art-o-mat the artist needs to submit 50 completed pieces for submission. By making 10 or more pieces, you will be able to determine if you can make the works different enough from each other. You may end up abandoning your original idea or image and moving on to some other kind of images.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 5. Create the Block
Use acid free glue to secure the art to the block.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 6. Include your name and contact information
The reverse side of the block should contain your name and contact information, such as an email address. Include a web site if you have one. Use a business card or print out some high-quality laser labels.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 7. Wrap the blocks in cellophane
The completed block needs to be wrapped in cellophane.
Art-o-Mat Acceptance: 8. Send to Art-O-Mat
Send the finished block with a completed Submission Form to Art-o-Mat.
Art-o-Mat accepts ongoing submissions, there are no deadlines. They also sell wooden blocks if you’d like to buy them from Art-O-Mat.
