Art for the Masses

I have long been a believer that art should be made accessible to everyone. Everyone should be made to feel comfortable in a gallery or museum. There are many people who feel the same way that I do. The rise of the DIY movement, blogs, co-ops, galleries run by a younger generation of artists, websites like ETSY with affordable art for the public and new collectors, online galleries, collaborations and exchanges are all ways that artists are getting around the old gallery system and getting their work out and shown to the public. One of these projects is the Art*O* Mat. run by Clark Whittington. Clark refurbishes old cigarette machines into art vending machines and places them in coffee houses, food markets, galleries, museums, universities, and community centers all over the world. His organization is Aritsts in Cellophane. He places art in the community and gives back to artists and the community. To find out more and to learn how to participate go to the Art* O* Mat website.