Smoking is so uncool (and unhealthy) but ever wonder where good vintage cigarette machines go? If North Carolina artist Clark Whittington gets a hold of them, you’ll find them in an art gallery, library, or other public place dispensing miniature pieces of art which cost about $5.

Called Art-o-mat, Whittington works with independent artists across who provide mini-masterpieces the size of a pack of cigarettes to place in the machines. These pint-size treasures are created by more than 400 artists who each work in their own medium. Art selections vary by location but can include postage stamp earrings to clay sculptures and decoupage wood blocks to original paintings. Each machine’s inventory is as different as the art.

The Art-o-mat machines accept a special token so buy it from the cashier on location (prices range between $5 and $7, depending on location, plus tax) and drop the coin in the slot.  Decisions, decisions, select what type of art you’d like, pull the knob and the treasure is deposited in the bin. Dropping a token in the machine is just as exciting as dropping a coin in a Las Vegas slot machine, plus the odds of winning are even better!  Feeling lucky? Select the “Pot Luck” option for a true surprise.

One of the vacation destinations to find Vend-o-art is Orlando at Sam Flax Art & Design (1401 E. Colonial Drive) an artist supply store. Go check it out and bring home a miniature art piece to complement those Mickey Mouse ears. Visit the Art-o-mat site for a complete list of locations.