Value Village’s move a few blocks next week means not only meant a larger space for the retailer but a brighter Crown Hill thanks to the commissioning of local artist Ryan Henry Ward, better known as simply Henry.

Value Village, which has been located at 8700 15th Ave. N.W., is completing its move into the old Crown Hill QFC location at 8532 15th Ave. N.W. on March 4.

As part of the move, Ward, whose colorful work can be seen all over the Ballard area, is covering the building's 3,000-square-foot western wall with his largest mural in Seattle.

Ward is iconic in the neighborhood, Value Village spokesperson Ian Jefferies said.

He said the artist is reflective of the funky, fun culture that Value Village wants to represent. One Crown Hill Value Village employee even has a car painted by Ward, Jefferies said.

Ward said his Value Village mural is influenced by thinking about what would improve the community and make its members happy and also by the dimensions of the wall.

“I wanted to paint elephants because of their size,” he said. “Elephants have a lot of meaning to me. They are very empathetic creatures with a symbolic history that represents wisdom and strength and compassion.”

In addition to the elephants, the mural contains camels, which are a new animal for Ward. He said they are more contemplative than the elephants and balance out their playfulness.

Ward said hundreds of people have stopped by while he is working on the mural to express their happiness and gratitude.

“I know that what I paint doesn’t make every person happy,” he said. “But, a large percent of the community seems to be in support of what I’m doing.”

Catherine Weatbrook of the Crown Hill Business Association said the mural is a good step toward addressing the needs of the community.

"I'm thrilled that Savers (owner of Value Village) is doing something with that wall because that wall is definitely one of the ones that we have targeted in our Crown Hill planning," Weatbrook said.

She said replacing the blank wall will brighten up the neighborhood and create a better pedestrian environment.

“The reaction I want to elicit from the community is a feeling that they are living in an artistic and creative and city,” Ward said. “I want the street to have more of a creative, fun and safer feel to it.”

The grand opening of Value Village is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on March 4.

There will be a ribbon cutting and a mural unveiling. Ward will be on hand to sign posters for the first 500 people.