WonderFest is a new event by AMP! and Pokito Productions set to take place Nov. 4, combining galleries and artist alleys to showcase student work.
This free event will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Students can earn Learning Beyond the Classroom credit for attending.
Artists will be featured at designated tables, and a trailer premiere for “WONDERCORD” by Pokito Productions will start at 6:30 p.m.
AMP!, or Amplifying the Arts at Eastern Michigan University, is a student organization dedicated to bringing audiences and opportunities to student artists. AMP! encourages students to explore their creative side and turn their creative practices into careers.
Pokito Productions, an animation studio, was founded in 2022 by EMU student Rylee Curley. The name Pokito Productions means “Little Productions.” It was chosen because the studio brings small creators together to make stories through multimedia.
WONDERCORD is an animated series that follows 10 characters who find themselves stuck in a new world. The characters must explore game worlds to collect batteries for the portal that will take them back home.
Each world changes its animation style to reflect the game the characters are exploring. According to wondercord.com, the series was inspired by the idea of using a visually captivating world to tell a story.
WONDERCORD is meant to appeal to everyone. Some of WONDERCORD’s voice actors will be in attendance at WonderFest to host a Q&A session after the trailer viewing.
WonderFest is intended to provide a collaborative space for artists to mutually benefit and share their work with the community.
Curley is the event coordinator for WonderFest.
“Through artist tables, live presentations and networking opportunities, we seek to spark engagement and inspire students at EMU," Curley said.
Curley's work on WonderFest is part of her Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellowship. SURF offers students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience and academic passions outside of the classroom.
Curley plans to go over the event planning in detail as well as more about WONDERCORD and Pokito Productions at EMU's Undergraduate Symposium in March 2026.
"For years, I've spent time sifting through photos online and creating vision boards," Curley said. "Now I aim to learn more about how local artists brand themselves. This event hosts the perfect conversational setting to discuss more with each presenter."
Editor's Note: Rylee Curley works at The Eastern Echo as Graphics Editor.
