Young B.C. artist says Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside saved his life

A young B.C. artist who battled addiction and depression credits Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for his recovery, and is now using his work to help others.

A young B.C. artist who battled addiction and depression credits Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for his recovery, and is now using his work to help others.

Being able to set up for a public art show every Saturday has been a long journey for Criss Blake Cook.

“I never thought I would survive myself long enough to see any of my dreams come true,” Cook said.

Before the pandemic, Cook was working as a pharmacy assistant in Alberta.

When COVID-19 hit in February 2020, Cook said he caught a cold and had to isolate until his symptoms disappeared.

He said he ended up spending one month living alone with his dogs and became very depressed.

When Cook returned to work, he said his depression didn’t go away and he attempted suicide.

After taking a break to visit a friend in Vancouver, Cook said he returned home, quit his job, gave away his dogs and began living in his shed, where he got into hard drugs and alcohol.