From Canvas to Cheeks: Edmonton’s Jacob Golka Becomes the City’s Beloved Face Painter During Oilers’ Unforgettable Stanley Cup Run
Jacob Golka isn’t a hockey player. He’s never laced up for the Edmonton Oilers or skated on NHL ice. But in the heart of the city, where the Oilers faithful gather to cheer, chant, and hope, Golka has become a household name—at least to those who’ve stood in line for a quick brushstroke of magic. Known affectionately now as “Edmonton’s Bob Ross,” Golka has painted over 1,000 faces in the Ice District during this year’s exhilarating Stanley Cup run, and in doing so, he’s added a new layer of color to the Oilers’ playoff story.
There’s something unmistakable about Golka. Armed with a palette of blue and orange paints, brushes of all sizes, and a smile that refuses to fade, he has become as recognizable as the Oilers logo itself. And his setup, always bursting with energy and laughter, often draws crowds as large as the ones clustering around the big screens.
For Golka, this all began as a way to express his fandom and give back to a city that bleeds hockey. A lifelong Oilers supporter, Golka didn’t plan to become a local phenomenon. He simply showed up with paint, a few brushes, and a lawn chair during the first round of the playoffs, offering free face paint to anyone interested. He figured he’d get a few takers—maybe some kids, the odd adult—but he wasn’t prepared for what would follow.
On that first night, Golka painted over 80 faces. His corner quickly turned into a hotspot, and photos of his creations started to circulate online. Within days, “the face painter guy” was trending in local social media groups. By the end of the second round, his name was being passed around almost as much as Connor McDavid’s.
“I didn’t expect it to take off,” Golka said in a recent interview. “It was just my way of bringing something extra to the playoff experience. The Ice District is already electric, but I thought, what if I could make people feel even more connected to the team?”
And he did. Golka doesn’t just paint stripes or slap on team logos. He brings the art. Kids walk away with full-face lion masks in Oilers colors. Adults don stylized helmets painted directly onto their skin. Others leave with intricate depictions of players’ faces, mascots, and even miniature renditions of Rogers Place. For Golka, face painting is more than a novelty—it’s storytelling.
Each face he paints is a moment captured, a memory made. The little boy who asked for a Darnell Nurse “warrior face” before Game 5, the woman who got a tribute to her late father who was an Oilers diehard—Golka remembers them all. Every conversation is personal, every stroke intentional.
What’s made Golka so beloved isn’t just the quality of his art, though that’s certainly part of it. It’s his attitude. He doesn’t charge. Not a cent. He refuses to take tips. Instead, he offers his time and talent freely, saying that this is his way of giving to a community that gives so much love to its team.
“It’s a gift,” he says. “The Oilers have given us such a thrilling ride this year. This is just me saying thank you. I don’t need anything in return. Seeing people light up when they look in the mirror—that’s enough for me.”
That generosity has become the soul of Golka’s impact. Parents who may have been stretching budgets to buy playoff tickets or merchandise know their children can still leave with painted faces and huge smiles. Strangers bond while waiting in line. Golka doesn’t just apply paint; he’s helped create a sense of unity and joy that goes beyond the game.
The Oilers’ playoff run this year has been nothing short of dramatic. With nail-biting wins, buzzer-beating goals, and moments of sheer brilliance from stars like McDavid, Draisaitl, and Skinner, the city has been gripped by playoff fever. But amid the roaring crowds and intense on-ice battles, Golka’s presence has offered something quieter but equally powerful—a reminder of how sports bring people together, not just in arenas, but in streets and public squares.
By the time the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final, Golka’s name was known far beyond Edmonton. National media picked up the story. Hockey Night in Canada aired a short segment on him. Even Oilers players, during press conferences, mentioned the guy painting faces downtown. Golka stayed humble throughout, brushing off praise with his signature laugh and saying, “I’m just along for the ride, like everyone else.”
But not everyone is buying the modesty. “Jacob’s become part of the team,” one fan said while getting her face painted before Game 6. “He’s part of the magic. I bring my kids down here, and it’s not just about the game anymore—it’s about the whole experience, and he’s a huge part of that.”
As the playoffs wore on, Golka’s setup grew. Volunteers helped him manage lines. Local businesses donated supplies. A nearby food truck gave him free meals. It’s clear that while Golka came to give, the community wasn’t going to let his kindness go unanswered.
He still turns down money, but he’s started accepting donations—for charity. “If people insist,” he said, “then I’ll put it toward something bigger than me.” He’s currently directing all donations to youth mental health initiatives in Alberta, saying that the joy of hockey should be matched by support for kids off the ice, too.
In many ways, Golka embodies what sports fans wish for in every city. He’s the beating heart of a community-driven playoff run. He’s proof that you don’t need a jersey or a seat in the rink to make a difference. You just need passion, kindness, and a willingness to show up.
As Edmonton reflects on this unforgettable Stanley Cup campaign—regardless of the final outcome—Jacob Golka’s legacy is already secure. Win or lose, fans will remember the guy who sat on a fold-out chair in the middle of downtown and turned strangers into warriors, lions, and Oilers icons with a few strokes of paint.
And long after the banners come down and the last chants fade, there will be photos—thousands of them—of painted faces, beaming smiles, and a man in an apron with paint-streaked hands and a heart as big as Rogers Place.
Jacob Golka didn’t score a goal, block a shot, or hoist a trophy. But ask anyone in Edmonton who made this playoff run unforgettable, and they’ll point to the corner of the Ice District, where the city’s own Bob Ross made every game day just a little more magical.
