Jun 6, 2025 - News

Portland Aquarium opens with whimsical marine art

Kale Williams

Cartoon characters of marine animals are seen on a wall with rippling shadows. — Take a dip into Mike Bennett's underwater world. Photo: Courtesy of Josh Chang

The "Portland Aquarium," — the brainchild of renowned animal artist Mike Bennett — opens downtown Friday.

Driving the news: The immersive art experience has no live animals, but features more than 100 unique species of Bennett's signature cartoon characters at home in six different fantastical marine biomes.

Visitors will get the full treatment, with music from Portland-based Andre Anjos, known as RAC, and a custom field guide with descriptions of each creature.

If you go: The Portland Aquarium is located at 603 SW Broadway and will be open from 11am to 8pm Sunday-Thursday and 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday.

General admission is $14; children 12 and under are $10; children under 2 get in free.

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Portland Aquarium opens with whimsical marine art

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