WHAT DID YA GET? Perry Kyser, owner of Signum Somnia, has acquired the first art vending machine in Eau Claire.

Vending and quarter machines often tug a string of nostalgia in your heart, whether they dispensed small candies, trinkets, temporary tattoos, or stickers. There's a new style of vending machine that just hit Eau Claire, brought to the area by local artist Perry Kyser, dispensing small prints of locally-made art for just four quarters.

Working like any other vending machine, patrons simply place four quarters into the brackets, slide them into the machine, and receive a randomized two-and-a-half by three-and-a-half inch art print tucked into a protective cover. The machine has a “you get what you get” policy, which brings an exciting level of mystery to the process.

Kyser with his vending machine.

“I think people have more fun getting things (when) they don’t quite know what they’re going to get,” Kyser said. “Eventually what I want to do is just keep adding to it until there’s hundreds – possibly – in there.”

Kyser purchased the machine from CandyMachines.com because he wanted to create more interactivity and fun for those who view his art, with the added factor of the machine's nostalgia. The art in the machine was specifically created for it and can’t be purchased anywhere else.

“Since it’s only a dollar, I feel like I can go a bit more wild with (the art),” Kyser said. “I could put pretty much anything I can think of in there.”

The art vending machine made its first public appearance at the Eau Claire Makers’ Market Night Market on Friday, Aug. 11, but will continue to make its way around the area as Kyser joins more area artist events. He also plans to keep it outside of his studio, located at The 1106 (formerly known as Artisan Forge Studios), so patrons can check it out.

Kyser is a longtime resident of the area, though he only recently became a full-time artist. He opened his studio, Signum Somnia, in The 1106 and sells his art online. He is hoping to expand on this vending machine idea, with talks of a possible Zoltar Machine in the future.

Learn more about Signum Somnia at signumsomnia.com, and visit the studio at The 1106 (1106 Mondovi Road, Eau Claire) to try out the new vending machine.