Local Artist Mike Bennett Partners with Children’s Healing Art Project and Ecliptic Brewing to Raise Funds

From Ecliptic:

Portland art icon Mike Bennett is mobilizing his huge fan base – including 1.5 million followers on
TikTok – to support the local nonprofit, Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP). In January 2021,
Mike brought the solar system to North Portland by placing painted planets throughout the
Mississippi neighborhood. He called it his Planetary Promenade. Each planet will be auctioned off
between May 12th and May 19th in an online auction benefiting CHAP.

The online auction of all 10 planets begins May 12th and ends May 19, with an outdoor
celebration at Ecliptic Brewing where Mike will also create a live piece of art for the auction. Go
to: https://chapplanetarypromenade2021.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse to place bids.
10% of all food and drink sold at Ecliptic Brewing on May 19th will be donated to CHAP. Masks
are required at the event, except when eating or drinking.
Mike Bennett has been entertaining families with his fantastic art creations for the past few years
and especially throughout the pandemic with the goal of giving people a reason to get out, to see
art, to smile, and to experience something special. The pivot this past year brought his love for art
and education alive. The visual artist has a passion for bringing cartoons into the real world with
reclaimed wood and old house paint. Mike has created over 3000 wooden cutouts based on pop
culture, internet memes, and family-friendly educational content. Mike spent most of 2020
creating massive, interactive art displays in a similar style to bring fun and education to families in
his neighborhood. He has picked up a large following with 1.5 million followers on TikTok and
earned the title “Public Joy Creator”. More info: www.instagram.com/mikebennettart
CHAP brings the healing power of art to children and families facing medical challenges. At
CHAP, children are known for their creativity and ingenuity — not by their disease, diagnosis or
disability. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, CHAP has been visiting hospitals weekly to
provide healing art experiences for children and families. Since 2006, over 75,000 children have
enjoyed healing art experiences through CHAP. Like many nonprofits, CHAP is experiencing the
strain of the pandemic. When CHAP’s 15 weekly art-making sessions for children and families in
Portland area hospitals were suspended in 2020 (at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,
Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Providence St. Vincent
Medical Center, and more), CHAP quickly pivoted to deliver their mission in new ways through
virtual programming and free art supplies. More info: www.chappdx.org

“We can’t think of a better way to raise funds and raise awareness about CHAP than to partner
with a fun, creative artist like Mike Bennett,” adds Barb McDowell, Executive Director of CHAP. “I
invite everyone to come out to Ecliptic Brewing on May 19th to see Mike’s planets one more time,
place their final bids, and enjoy a good time together for a great cause.”

Ecliptic Brewing is a venture from John Harris, an Oregon craft brewing icon. As a result of his
efforts at McMenamins, Deschutes and Full Sail, craft beer lovers have been enjoying John’s beers
for over thirty years. The name Ecliptic Brewing unites John’s two passions: brewing and
astronomy. The ecliptic is earth’s yearly path around the sun, and Ecliptic Brewing celebrates this
journey though the seasons with the food and beer they make. Ecliptic beers can be found in
restaurants and retail shops in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, Colorado, North Carolina,
and Japan. More info: www.eclipticbrewing.com