FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Mystry Mart?

Mystry Mart is both an art installation and a mini art gallery disguised as a vending machine. Each machine is hand-painted and designed as a unique work of art, while also showcasing and selling original pieces from local and national artists across the U.S.

Placed in cultural venues, galleries, and creative spaces, Mystry Mart offers an interactive way to experience and collect art. It’s not just a place to buy; it’s a curated, immersive art experience. Founded by Victoria and Gene, the concept was born from a desire to support underrepresented artists and reimagine how art is shared with the world.

By blending accessibility, surprise, and creativity, Mystry Mart invites people to discover art and take a piece of it home with them.

You can learn more on how Mystry Mart began on our ABOUT page.

What is the goal of Mystry Mart?

The goal of Mystry Mart is to make art more accessible, approachable, and surprising. At its core, Mystry Mart exists to support underrepresented artists by offering them a fresh, unconventional platform to showcase and sell their work. It reimagines how people engage with art; through interactive, visually striking vending machines that serve as both functional installations and mini galleries. Mystry Mart removes the barriers of traditional galleries and invites new audiences to discover creativity in everyday spaces. It sparks curiosity and play around the act of collecting, transforming it into a hands-on, memorable experience. Above all, Mystry Mart is about uplifting creativity as a shared experience, connecting artists and communities in a way that invites people to Try Art, stumble upon it, collect it, and celebrate it.

Why is it called Mystry Mart?

Every item inside a Mystry Mart machine is wrapped in our signature packaging, hiding the contents so buyers don’t know exactly what they’re getting and making each purchase a true mystery. This element of surprise is part of the fun, encouraging people to discover art in a new, spontaneous way. Even the name holds a secret: hidden within “Mystry Mart” is the phrase “Try Art”, a playful reminder that art should be explored, enjoyed, and accessible to everyone. While the packaging doesn’t reveal what’s inside, it does include the artist’s Instagram handle, so people can look up the displayed artists and dive deeper into their work without spoiling the surprise of what’s in the bag.

Where are you located?

Check our LOCATIONS page to find out!

I’m an artist interested in PARTICIPATING, how do i start?

We’re always on the lookout for passionate artists to collaborate with and we’re proud to say that many of the creatives who joined us at the very beginning are still with us today. The bonds we’ve built with our artists are what make Mystry Mart so special.

We look for creatives who are deeply connected to their craft, those who are consistently creating, have built their life around their work, and bring a style that’s uniquely their own. Your artistic identity should feel authentic and established, and that should come through in both your work and presentation.

If this sounds like you and you're interested in joining us, please visit our Artist Application page, we’d love to see what you create.

I’m a location interested in hosting Mystry Mart, how do i start?

First, a love for art. Second, a 3x3 foot space. And third, a power outlet. Get in contact at info@mystrymart.com.
Visit the bottom of our LOCATIONS page to learn more.

DO YOU ONLY OPERATE IN NEW YORK CITY?

Currently yes, but we are also looking to expand across the tri-state area.

What if I don’t like what I received from the machine?

Life is like a Mystry Mart machine, you never know what you’re going to get. Every purchase is a surprise, and just like art (and life), you won’t always get exactly what you expect—and that’s kind of the point.

Each package includes the artist’s Instagram handle so you can get a feel for their work ahead of time. But if you’re selecting with specific expectations, this may not be the right experience for you. Mystry Mart is about discovery, curiosity, and letting go of control. It’s an art piece in itself; art imitating life.

Didn’t connect with what you got? Gift it to a friend. Sharing is caring and you never know who might fall in love with what you received.

Why are some items “more expensive” than I expected?

Because this isn’t Temu.

Everything inside Mystry Mart is handmade, designed, and packaged by real artists, not mass-produced, factory-stamped goods. Every piece takes time, effort, and intention from selecting the right ink and paper, to printing, trimming, packaging, and sometimes even hand-signing or customizing each item.

We understand that if you’re used to seeing art sold at HomeGoods prices, this might feel different. That’s the point. Art should be priced by the artist, by the time, skill, and energy they pour into their work. We do our best to guide artists toward realistic, fair price points, but we also believe in honoring what they feel their work is worth.

Mystry Mart is here to shift how we value creativity. This isn't about undercutting talent for convenience, it’s about supporting artists and reminding people that art has value. You're not just buying a print or object, you're backing a vision, a process, and a person behind it.

I received a damaged item, what do I do?

Please contact us at info@mystrymart.com with a photo of the item in front of the machine you received it from for a full refund!

HAVE QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS? WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU,
FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT AT INFO@MYSTRYMART.COM!