A lot of people love art, and a lot of people can’t afford it.
But not anymore!
High quality, original art is available in McKinney thanks to cigarettes. Well, sort of.
"The machines are vintage, retro cigarette machines," Karen Zupanic said.
Zupanic is the executive director of the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts in McKinney.
About two months ago the center purchased an Art-o-mat, a converted cigarette vending machine, to sell tiny works of art.
“We think it’s the most fascinating thing,” Zupanic said.
For just $5, people can buy pint-sized paintings, pottery and other art pieces. Every piece is created by nationally-recognized artists.
About 400 artists from "all over the world" create the artwork sold in the retrofitted vending machines, Zupanic said.
She hopes that by making art more affordable, more people will learn to appreciate art and maybe even become collectors.