Mike Bennett Outdoor Art Installation Coming to NE Portland’s Alberta Arts District | Halloween-Themed “Crypto-Zoo” Showcases Alphabet of Cryptids, Monsters & Mythical Beasts

“Crypto-Zoo”
September 14-October 31, 2020
More info: Mike Bennett Art Instagram

Portland artist Mike Bennett is at it again. The local cartoonist best known for painting characters onto plywood and hiding them around the city has announced an expansion to his “A to Zoo” series. The A to Zoo was a month-long project in which Bennett recycled wood into a life-sized alphabet zoo in his front yard. This time around, the A to Zoo takes on a Halloween Theme with the Crypto-Zoo. The art display will feature creatures of legend and lore right in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s Alberta Arts District.

The display features many cryptids which are defined as ‘any creature that may or may not exist. Sightings of various cryptids have been reported, but their reality has not been proved. Don’t worry though, Bennett has worked hard to make sure his alphabet is filled entirely with family-friendly and fun monsters and beasts. Similar to cryptids, the Crypto-Zoo doesn’t have a public address – but that’s part of the fun! Exploring the Alberta Arts District is the only hint available for now.

Don’t worry though, Bennett has worked hard to make sure his alphabet is filled entirely with family-friendly and fun monsters and beasts. Similar to cryptids, the Crypto-Zoo doesn’t have a public address – but that’s part of the fun! Exploring the Alberta Arts District is the only hint available for now.

In addition to the Crypto-Zoo, Bennett will be releasing a daily 60-second educational video in which he shows behind-the-scenes footage of the his painting process as well as history, geography and other fun facts for each alphabetical entry.

The zoo is free to admire from a safe distance, however Bennett has chosen to team up with Taking Ownership PDX – an organization working hard to enable Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth and simultaneously deter predatory investors and realtors to deflect the gentrification process. He is asking visitors of the A to Zoo to consider donating to this cause.

“The first A to Zoo was an unforgettable experience filled with memories I never could have imagined. I had folks drive all the way from Sacramento to see it – in the rain! I even got to witness a kiddo’s very first word one morning. I love that art is bringing us all together and making memories that have nothing to do with the pandemic. Creaitivity and imagination is so important these days.”
Bennett, who recently created a herd of dinosaurs roaming NE Alberta Street for #AlbertasaurusPDX, will be sharing this Zoo with his neighborhood from September 14th until October 31st. Follow Bennett on social media at @MikeBennettArt for all of the creatures and fun moments along the way.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mike Bennett! (@mikebennettart) on

Categories

Tags

Leave a Comment





Keep in Touch!

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates