Mike Bennett, certified “Public Joy Creator,” may not wear a cape, but making people smile has become his superpower.
How does one spread joy during tough times? For Mike in 2020, it meant putting his doodles on life-sized wood cutouts to decorate his lawn and hide around town. While at first these were familiar tv and cartoon characters, Mike’s style and ability to pop up in the most unexpected places evolved. His rogue act of happiness became full wonderlands of public art installations. Watch as Mike Bennett tells the tale of how he brought thousands of characters from his sketchpads to life by the simple act of picking up a saw, discarded plywood, and paint.
About the speaker
Portland, Oregon-based artist and certified Public Joy Creator, Mike Bennett (he/him) started using reclaimed wood and paint to make eye-catching cartoon cutouts in 2019 while spending his days teaching preschool. People fell in love with his unique art style and charming characters.
Soon, Mike took on larger projects that would not only bring joy, but benefit the community as well from themed scavenger hunts, auctioned pieces for charity, outdoor exhibits like A to Zoo to visit safely during pandemic lockdowns, and immersive experiences like Wonderwood and Dinolandia.
Mike is honored and excited for fans to experience these creative projects, and you can find more on BennettBuddies.com.
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Hosted by
Mike Bennett Studios
421 NE 10th Ave
Portland, Oregon United States 97232
Date
Photographer Christopher Diego
Videographer Tyler Nordby
