How much of our individual greatness is held back by the things that scare us? That’s the question Mike Bennett had to answer for himself when he first picked up a jigsaw and started on a path to create wonder and spark joy through immersive storytelling.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Mike Bennett is an illustrator, immersive space designer, and self-proclaimed public joy creator. A lifelong cartoon enthusiast, Mike creates outdoor art via lawn signs, scavenger hunts, and educational displays like A to Zoo. Mike has built a community of 2 million+ global social media followers as well as immersive experiences like Dinolandia, a prehistoric adventure, and Wonderwood, a fantasy-inspired restaurant and mini-golf course. His latest venture, The Portland Aquarium, is a fully immersive educational walkthrough that takes people on a journey through five colorful biomes, brought to life with over 100 cartoon species created by Mike himself. The vibrant, larger-than-life cartoon illustrations, interactive displays, and playful storytelling spark curiosity and joy for guests of all ages. It’s part art exhibit, part educational adventure. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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