In collaboration with Prosper Portland, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is hosting a new art installation at the Director Park kiosk, which features local artist Mike Bennett’s “A to Zoo” and “A, B, Sea” collections. This art installation is fun for all ages and features an alluring lighting environment that changes with the weather. See if you can find every alphabet letter with its corresponding animal. Be on the lookout for a moose on the loose! This artist creates his creatures using recycled plywood removed from boarded-up windows and recycled paint. The art installation will be on display through April 29, 2022.
About the Artist
Mike Bennett moved from Central Pennsylvania to Portland, Oregon in the winter of 2016. He studied Art Education, Computer Design, Illustration, and Animation at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and proceeded to chase his dream of illustration and character design. Working alongside children allows Mike to keep in touch with his ever-present inner child and says he is happy to draw every day and bring smiles to as many faces as he can along the way.
Park Activation
Director Park is a versatile downtown plaza that serves as an attractive destination for many different inclusive community activities. For information on holding an event, renting space, or any other use of the park, please visit portland.gov/parks/director-park.
Director Park Request for Interest
Mike’s art installation will be on display as PP&R releases a Request for Interest to select the next long-term tenant for the kiosk. PP&R is open to a wide variety of future uses and encourages local and minority-owned businesses to submit proposals. The Request for Interest is anticipated to be released in the first week of February and proposals need to be submitted by April 29, 2022. For information on the Request for Interest, please visit portland.gov/parks/director-park.