'Smokey Attack' at hotel

Kelowna will once again come alive with the vibrancy of art.

A mural is to be painted on the new Hotel Zed this summer, which will add a touch of colour to the downtown as people enter the city on Abbott Street.

Clandestinos, Bruno Smokey and Shalak Attack, are painting the 160-foot wall on the hotel from July 12 to 17.

The two artists hail from Toronto and are known for using powerful animals and meaningful messages in their work.

Karram Armo with LMNO Production, a local arts and entertainment company, will be hosting Smokey and Attack in Kelowna and says their art will bring more attraction and traffic through Leon Avenue.

“By bringing the cultivating artwork of Clandestinos to the streets of downtown Kelowna this will create the opportunity for the community to become directly involved in the project,” Armo said in a press release.

LMNO Production hopes the art project will engage community members, as well as invite other local artists down to Hotel Zed to connect with the Clandestinos.

“Audience members of the project will witness a live process of the new addition of the city creating community identity and pride.This will lead to positive community norms, such as diversity, tolerance and free expression,” he said.

This mural will be the second to be recently painted in Kelowna. Milkcrate Records has a new look after a well-known Quebec mural artist spruced up the building. The Milkcrate mural was welcomed by many residents after the Metro Central building, which donned a large mural, was torn down.

Hotel Zed has other properties in the Lower Mainland and Victoria and is known for the bright, vibrant colours of its properties.

The public is welcome to watch the art unfold at the new hotel this summer. After the Clandestinos finish in Kelowna they will be attending Bass Coast in Merritt to show off their talents.

Photo: LMNO Producitons