Soul Gardens Mural

Soul Gardens is a vibrant celebration of the Downtown Eastside’s rich cultural history, brought to life by talented artists and researchers. Created in 2011 to mark Vancouver’s 125th anniversary, this community art project adorns the wall of the Astoria Hotel, greeting passersby at the intersection of East Hastings Street and Hawks Avenue with a splash of color and meaning.

At the mural’s base, you’ll find words painted in bold, stylized graffiti that form a powerful expression in the Squamish language: “Ha7lh en Skwalwen.” Translating to “My heart feels good,” these words encapsulate a sense of resilience, hope, and connection to the land and its First Peoples. Muralist Take 5 describes it as “a good feeling that you carry in your heart,” while lead artist researcher Cease Wyss emphasizes the importance of keeping First Languages alive.

The mural’s imagery is equally rich in symbolism. The salmon, a timeless emblem of resilience and sustainability, swims alongside the woman and child—figures that represent the past we hold onto and the future we strive for. Soul Gardens is a collaborative masterpiece brought to life by five muralists (Indigo, Take 5, Scott Sueme, Jordan Bent, and Melanie Schambach) and five artist-researchers (Cease Wyss, Sid Tan, Lani Russwurm, Anne Marie Slater, and Wayde Compton). Together, they’ve woven a tapestry of history, art, and hope that continues to brighten the heart of the DTES and inspire all who encounter it.