NEW&NOW THE INSIDE TRACK TO EVERY THING PALM BEACH
SPOTLIGHT
West Palm Beach entrepreneur Meghan McKenna didn’t set out to become a vending machine expert. But after being awarded the Mini Placemaking Grant from the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, enabling her to purchase a machine, she has become exactly that. Flamango Vending is a machine straight out of a high school cafeteria—but instead of snacks and sodas, it has been refurbished and repurposed to sell small pieces of affordable art by Palm Beach County artists. Inside its coils are prints, stickers, canvases, key chains, stationery, original 5x7s, embroidered hats, jewelry, and even tiny easels to showcase your new art, none of which is bigger than 5.5 inches wide and 8 inches tall. The machine debuted in February at Clematis by Night and will continue to pop up at various locations across the region (visit the Flamango Vending website to discover its current home). “I seek community, connection, and positive feelings through my creative, experiential work,” says McKenna. “I want to spark the joy of discovery while on the hunt for the machine, the feeling of nostalgia from the vending experience, and a feeling of pride knowing we’re directly supporting local arts.” (flamangovending.com) —Skye Sherman
CAILIN BYRNE, OH CAI CREATIVE
GALLERY ON THE GO
Meghan McKenna’s Flamango Vending machine sells small pieces of affordable art by Palm Beach County artists.
PALMBEACHILLUSTRATED.COM | JUNE 2024
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4/25/24 2:42 PM