Dallas 09.26.2008

Thank You For Not Smoking

Vice Vendor Turned Art Dealer Comes To Texas

According to the Surgeon General (and your mama) smoking is bad for you. And no, the health risks aren’t reduced if you try and make it more glamorous by using one of those fancy long cigarette holders like you saw in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

So, why not spend five bucks a day on something that won’t give you wrinkles and a voice like Harvey Fierstein? Meet the Art-o-mat, a vintage cigarette dispenser that’s kicked the habit and opted to dispense smoke pack-sized artwork instead.

Nationally there are about 82 Art-o-mats in use in galleries and museums, containing works from 400 artists representing 10 countries. But the closest one in North Texas is at Art 251 in Keller.

And this Saturday and Sunday Art-o-mat creator Clark Whittington will be on hand presenting details about the token art movement and recruiting new artists.

During our visit, we dropped 20 bucks (4 tokens worth) and ended up with a painted wood block collage, a tiny brass bicycle sculpture from an artist in Ghana, a dragonfly key chain from Weener Ware (love the name) and, our fave, a Patron Saint For Modern Times cast stone “relief” in a box.

We pulled Saint Martha, “Patron Saint For Good Things.” Funny, we thought Martha was the Patron Saint of ice-cold demeanor?

Let’s hope none of these undiscovered artists die from smoking-related illness. The irony might be enough to inspire an Alanis Morrisette song sequel.

But on the bright side their work would be worth a fortune!

Friday & Saturday, September 26 & 27
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Art 251
251 Town Center Lane, Keller
(817) 898-1444
www.art251.com

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