If you saw a man painting the side of the Northwest Harvest Church, that’s Ken Skoda.
Skoda started his mural on the last week of September and said that he is doing it for the church and the town. Skoda also said his painting features a “beautiful British Columbia” scene and also blends a story from the Bible.
“Lots of people are taking part in it … encouraging me, or vice versa,” said Skoda. “So far, I’ve got lots of new work coming up and I hope to be a part of Hope and be able to teach more people.”
The acrylic painting has a large eagle’s head blended into the mountainous background encompassing many other smaller elements such as killer wheels, a First Nations chief coming out of the waterfall and a spirit bear. Skoda said more elements, such as a church, will come to the fore as he completes the artwork.
Skoda has a special connection to the Northwest Harvest Church. Skoda said that he accesses the food bank and it represents a place where “we all go to lunch and we all get the food bank every Wednesday.”
He hopes that his artwork gives everybody a boost, such as the people handing out the food by making them feel appreciated and for food bank users feel welcomed when they come to get support, prayers and food.
Skoda also said painting this mural represents a chance for him to express himself again. He has painted many murals in Hope in his 20 years living here, such as the one on Fourth Avenue and Wallace Street, though some have been covered up.