Plymouth Art Vending Machine
Autumn 2023
A one-of-a-kind vending machine in Plymouth’s biggest shopping centre stocking mystery poems, plays and pin badges made by Plymothians. Each box contained a one-of-a-kind piece of writing and one-of-four enamel pin badges. They could be bought for £1 with all proceeds going back to the artists.
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This pilot project was funded and supported by Plymouth Culture.
Twenty playwrights and poets were commissioned to create the first wave of writing. An open call for poems and plays ran throughout the project. Four artists were commissioned to each design one of the enamel pin badges. Full credits are listed below.
Down Stage Write assisted with the selection of the playwrights and the open call.
Literature Works commissioned Plymouth Young City Laureate Mimi Jones to write a poem to introduce the vending machine and assist with the selection of the poets.
From the 8th August to the 8th November, 82 writers submitted over 350 unique poems and plays. 850 boxes were sold.
BBC Article “Vending machine selling badges, plays and poems”
Plymouth Live Article “Plymouth's Drake Circus shopping mall is getting a unique new vending machine”
Vending Times Article “UK vending machine offers art, literary works”
Plymouth Culture Article “Vending machine in Drake Circus”
PRSD Article “PAVM - Snap up exclusive, affordable culture”
I began producing the project in May 2023. The pitch was inspired by ‘Capitol Hill's mystery soda machine’, which has a mythology around how it was stocked and what drinks it might have contained. I wanted to pair this concept with questions about the affordability of art and what art ownership means in the modern day by printing each poem and play once, at the price of a pound, with an attached certificate of authenticity. I hoped that this would be an opportunity for Plymouth artists to create new work, network with other contributors and grow their local audience.
Hannah Harris, CEO of Plymouth Culture, said: “The Art Vending Machine is a wonderful example of bringing everyday cultural experiences to a wider audience - we can’t wait to see the reactions of shoppers. We have some brilliantly talented artists and writers in Plymouth and it’s exciting to see their work brought to different people in this creative way.”
Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus, said: “We’re very excited to be hosting this unique project at Drake Circus – not only is it great to be supporting local artists but it’s also brilliant to be making one-of-a-kind artworks accessible to our visitors too.”
Plymouth Culture Reel “The PAVM is open for business”
Drake Circus Post “Have you checked out the PAVM?”
We Are Plym TikTok “Well this is cute”
Jerry Moore Reel “Managed to pick up a treat” (Unboxing)
Ralph Astley YouTube Video “Plymouth Art Vending Machine” (Unboxing)
Each time I restocked the machine, we were sold out within a day or two. Due to this overwhelming demand, began a second printing of the unique writing with the certificate of authenticity replaced with a note of reproduction. During this time I learnt how to repair the coin mechanism of our Snack Centre Model 167.
In this final month of the project, I wanted to create a space for the artists involved to meet and share their work. As this coincided with Halloween, we conducted a Séance / Poetry Reading. The open call was promoted for a final time, focusing on spooky submissions. These ‘Halloween Edition’ boxes contained a packet of sweets alongside the existing items.
Fifteen poems were read aloud by writers in fancy-dress in the centre of Drake Circus shopping centre. Representatives from Down Stage Write and Literature Works were present at the event to signpost to their current opportunities and network with the artists. Despite our best efforts, the vending machine is still haunted to this day.
PRSD Article “PAVM - unique, tangible, affordable artworks”
BBC Article “Art vending machine to be removed this week”
The Devon Daily Article “Drake Circus - 2023 in review”
The goal of the project was to champion Plymothian artists in the heart of the city. A future iteration of the idea could expand the scope, incorporating other artforms which begin with the letter ‘P’. Photos, Paintings and Prose to name a few.
Open call writers who completed the evaluation form felt that the project encouraged them to create more art in the future and that it made them feel more connected to the artistic community in Plymouth.
“Overall, this initiative has not only fostered creativity but also exemplified exceptional organization and support.”
- Chloe Carrubba, Open Call Writer“It’s been exciting to see how it has connected so many people and given the opportunity for plays and poetry to have a more substantial platform in Plymouth.”
- Timothy Norman, Open Call Writer“I enjoy writing, but had never really shared my work anywhere before. This was a way for me to have the confidence to put myself out there.”
- Courtney Courington, Open Call Writer
If you have any questions specific to this project, you can reach me at plymouthartvendingmachine@gmail.com.
Full Credits for the Plymouth Art Vending Machine
Previously hosted at plymouthartvending.co.uk
Co-ordinated by Alex Robins
Supported by Plymouth Culture, Down Stage Write, Literature Works, Drake Circus
Pin Illustrators
Ace Delos Santos
Alex Brissenden
Amber Fox
Mimi Jones
Playwrights for Hire
Bee Jarvis
Chelsea Vincent
Claudia Jefferies
John Archer
Jon Nash
Rose Webber
Sam Parker
The Collective Noun for Poets
Blaike Gillshaw
Caitlin Rose Brawn
Fynn Roberts
Hazel Hon
Jonah Corren
Jude Francis
Margaret Corvid
Matt Thomas
Poppy Jones
Thom Boulton
Opening Ceremony Poem written and performed by Mimi Jones
Open Call - Playwrights
Amelia Simpson
Amy Fawcett
Charlie (Age 9)
Chris Swabey
Finn Hammond
Laura Quigley
Luke Dean
Maria Bojanitz
Nic Vine
Ruth Mitchell & David Prescott
Sophie Deer
Timothy Norman
Open Call - Poets
Alan Grant
Alexandra Bond
Alice Hendon
Amelia Simpson
Berni Molton
Caroline Collingridge
Chloe Carrubba
Chris Shields
Christian Scully
Courtney Courington
David Rutherford
David Sparkes
Devon Tipping
Frances Staniforth
Hannah Wood
Harvey Roberts
Heather Grange
Holly Jay
Holly Peters
Isabella Kavanagh
Jack Chapman
Jacqueline Darby
Jason D Brownlee
Jemima Laing
Jen Wallis
Jonny Hibbs
Julian Isaacs
Kate Kreke
Kenny Knight
Laura Fergus
Lesley Curwen
Lisa Chown
Liz Manning
Loraine Baldchin
Lydia Baldchin
Melody Ziegler
Mimi Jones
Penny Hooper
Pip Ferriby
R.C. Thomas
Robin Oliver
Ryan Burle
Sac O. Mackerel
Simon MacDonald
Richard Forshaw
Roger Schiff
Sally Claire
Samantha Carr
Samantha Webb
Sharon Andrews
Susan Stratton
Theresa Henning
Tina Kutter
Special Thanks
Select Vending
Atlas Graphics
Laura Horton
Max Robins
