Elegy for Grow Up (Trey Helten)
And why the city should rename 133 West Pender Street lane in his honour
First of all - I didn’t know Trey. But over the past decade, his work just kept appearing to me first through his Grow Up tag. And then as the organizer of large-scale graffiti murals and projects. In the wake of his passing last week, it’s clear that his art and work with the Overdose Prevention Society (OPS) saved lives and shaped Vancouver.
A few years back, I managed to get an interview with him about the massive OPS mural in the Downtown Eastside. This project brought about thirty writers together to paint a large collaborative piece that still graces the walls of the Shaldon Hotel.
He then co-created the Clean Lines Jam. With two years under its belt, this organic, graffiti jam takes place in 133 West Pender Lane in the summer. Rougher and more raw than the mural festival, this event brings people into a DTES alleyway to watch people tag. It brings what is usually an illegal activity into broad daylight and champions those who can create art with spray paint.
Still, to look at only his contributions to Vancouver’s art and graffiti scene would be only a fraction of his story. Trey was the manager at Vancouver’s Overdose Prevention Society (OPS). In all accounts, he went above and beyond. Saving lives and teaching others to do the same. This piece in the Globe and Mail captures this part of his story with importance.
If you’re curious about his impact, go visit 133 West Pender Street lane, the alley where clean lines took place. Look for the Smokey D memorial. Wheatpaste artist FUCKit even installed a life-sized paste-up and space for people to throw up hand styles. Try to find a Grow Up tag, or sign up for training from OPS. His impact is all around us.
Please also consider writing your local city councillor to name the 133 West Pender Street lane after him and officially sanction it for graffiti. While it’s already unofficially been dubbed Ashtrey’s Alley, Mr. Helten is someone worthy of an official memorial.
And with all of that , I’m certain this is only a fraction of who he was as a man. So while I didn’t know you. Thank you Trey.
