A popular Downtown Vancouver art vending machine has been painted with a festive flair for the holiday season.
While the outside of the machine hasn't changed, its contents have gotten a little bit merrier.
Decked with rows of much more than holly, customers can browse a selection of unique items, including a racy Santa donning only his undergarments, a pin that reads, "you are a bag of blood," hand-sewn patches in a variety of designs that range "from spooky to lovely," and much more.
Other interesting pieces include some kewpie mayo, egg tart, and white rabbit candy pins that are crafted by local artist Jocelyn Wong. The adorable pins are inspired by Asian food culture and hand-molded with clay and painted with acrylic before they are glazed with varnish.
Award-winning Vancouver artist Carson Ting's The Billion Buns collection is also available in patches and postcards. "In a galaxy, not so far away, a progressive and highly inquisitive little species called the ‘Buns’ have been hit hard by an astronomical cosmic solar storm that has forced billions of them to flee their home planet Bananas."
Located in the Garden Court of Bentall Centre (Tower 4 food court at 1055 Dunsmuir St), the machine is now up and running for anyone who wants to stop by and bring something home.
Customers can choose from a selection of prints, pins, stickers, zines, and more from local artists in Vancouver.
For the holiday season, organizers have stocked the machine with over 30 new artists' work, with prices that range from $1 to $60 and may be purchased using credit and debit cards.
A portion of December's sales will be donated to Yarrow Intergenerational Society’s Winter Solstice Fundraiser.
Yarrow Intergenerational Society is a local grassroots organization based in Chinatown and the DTES that works to support low-income Chinese seniors through programs including free grocery delivery, medical accompaniment, and translation, as well as building connections with youth in the community.
