Season 1 of Objkt’s Art Packs was a success, recently closing out a unique two-month run that added a new layer of energy to collecting on Tezos. The idea was simple but effective. From June 4 to July 31, collecting on Objkt’s primary marketplace could result in a possible reward being unlocked. No sign-ups or extra steps were needed. Just collect the art you love, and you might end up with a surprise in your wallet.
This new mechanic borrowed the mystery and randomness of trading cards and adapted it for the Tezos art community. It was a smart way to reward activity, encourage discovery, and support artists in a format that didn’t require anyone to do anything beyond continuing to use Objkt. As a long-term daily user I had a blast opening these packs and having an extra incentive to collect from artists I love, so let’s take a look at this powerful new feature and get prepared for Season 2.
How Art Packs Were Earned #
Art Packs weren’t for sale directly. They were distributed automatically and randomly based on your collecting habits using a dynamic formula. Collect higher value art, get better odds of receiving an Art Pack. However, any purchase over 1 tez could unlock a pack, and that randomness made it fun. The sealed nature of each pack meant collectors had the choice of opening it for the art inside or trading it unopened on the secondary market.
There was no fixed supply. Instead, pack distribution was directly tied to activity on Objkt during the promotional period. In total, 6,362 packs were issued. By August 1st, over 5,100 had been opened, while 1,262 remained sealed. Some of those are still circulating, available as secondary listings here.
Inside the Packs #
All of the artworks in Art Packs were freshly minted for this campaign as part of a dedicated collection, “objkt Art Pack: Season 1 Artworks”. Sixty artists were invited to contribute, resulting in a collection that blended well-known names with up-and-coming talent. The works varied in style, format, and rarity. Some were more common, others were harder to acquire. This created a longing to collect them all, with a leaderboard on the site adding to the excitement.
The rarest artwork of the season was “tainted, stained & maculated” by Anna Malina. For collectors focused on rarity, this became the crown jewel of Season 1 along with gems by A.L. Crego, Sutu, YEKTA, Gogolitus, and more. Every pack had the potential to reveal highly sought-after artwork. However, for most of the Tezos art community, the real appeal wasn’t chasing the rarest piece, it was discovering new art as an added reward for supporting artists minting on Objkt.
Community-Driven Momentum #
The campaign was a hit with the Tezos community. Within certain group chats like WTF Game Show, for example, there was an ongoing joke around how many days the group could go without discussing Art Packs, which never made it past 24 hours. Art Packs Season 1 was simply the talk of Tezos. At the time of writing, over 40,000 tez in value passed through Art Packs on the secondary market, and another 24,300 tez traded hands from the artworks that were revealed inside them. That level of engagement shows how much energy the mechanic generated and how quickly the community responded to the new format.
Several collectors emerged as key players in Season 1, with the leaderboard available to view here. Some earned their place by opening and trading packs throughout the season. Others made their mark by directly collecting artworks that were already revealed on secondary markets. Whether motivated by collecting, flipping, or simply enjoying the randomness, these participants helped shape the trajectory of Season 1. I’m no whale, and just casually collect from my own art sales, but I still managed to place 86th, and collected 24 of the 60 available artworks. Next Season, I am aiming for the top 50.
Art Packs For Marketing #
Not all packs were claimed through collecting on Objkt. Some were distributed at in-person events and through giveaways, giving Objkt a chance to onboard new users in real-world settings and on social media. This blend of digital and physical added another layer to the campaign, showing that the format has room to grow beyond the marketplace and aid in real-world adoption.
It also created a subtle but powerful effect for artists. Having your art become part of someone’s collection through an Art Pack was a way to connect with collectors who may have never seen your work otherwise. With time and further development, I could absolutely see the art pack concept bringing commission work to countless Tezos artists.
Looking Ahead #
Season 2 is brewing, though no official start date has been announced. Whether the next edition follows the same shape or introduces new mechanics, the foundation is already in place. Art Packs proved that adding a bit of chance and surprise to collecting can bring fresh energy to the space, while keeping the community engaged with the art. Art Packs sparked the community’s joy for discovering, collecting, and sharing art, while triggering a little degen in all of us. Sometimes, all it takes is allowing the game of chance into our discovery process. What artists will be commissioned for Season 2? Stay tuned to find out.