'He’s the Downtown Eastside newspaper': Community push for City of Vancouver to recognize street artist
Trey Helten remembers the first time he met Smokey Devil. He was in his mid-20s, living on the Downtown Eastside and didn’t have a phone or access to the Internet.
As an entrenched drug user, living on the sidewalk, Helten was focused on surviving. He said the only time he knew something important was happening in his community was when he saw Smokey’s art.
“He’s the Downtown Eastside newspaper,” he said.
Smokey’s work often consists of memorials to community members, warnings about drug toxicity and violence, and advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
“It’s sharing information and caring for people who need to be remembered, who would otherwise be forgotten,” Helten said.
Helten said Smokey’s art also draws attention to the crises in the neighbourhood without exploiting vulnerable people.
In just over one month, Smokey Devil, whose real name is James Hardy, will turn 54.
It’s an age many people who live in the Downtown Eastside won’t reach, as the area has one of the lowest life expectancies in Metro Vancouver.
Because of this, Helten wants the City of Vancouver to recognize Hardy on his birthday on March 11.
“I think this is a really good opportunity for the city to recognize him while he’s still around,” he said. “Why can’t we celebrate people while they’re still alive?”
A tribute created by Smokey Devil to Downtown Eastside advocate, Angel Gates.
Helten said he’s contacted some city councillors and staff about honouring his friend.
Coun. Pete Fry was one of them. He met Smokey more than 30 years ago.
“Smokey’s got a good heart and he’s definitely delivering the best kind of street art, speaking to the people on the street and providing a form of public awareness,” Fry said.
Smokey grew up in North Vancouver and moved to the Downtown Eastside around 25 years ago. He told CTV News his art helps people understand the complexities of his community.
“I hope they think twice about things,” he said.
Smokey Devil is known as the "Downtown Eastside's newspaper."
Helten said he's hopeful the city will recognize his request and mark March 11 as a day dedicated to the prolific artist by either holding a ceremony for Smokey or giving him the keys to the city.
“He’s a great example of someone who's dedicated their life to selfless service of others through art and street art,” Helten said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.