Why be bored in school? Go to a Skateboard School! This Toronto District School Board alternative school design program helps students earn high school credits and graduate by creating their own brand and running a skateboard business / professional design studio. OASIS SKATEBOARD FACTORY (OSF) "ON THE GRIND": TDSB's ART & ENTREPRENEURSHIP O.G.s since 2006!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Incoming Meteor


Hey, I’m 17 years old and I’m just a normal kid homegrown in Toronto. I just love to skate and draw so this program (or “home away from home” as I think of it now) is perfect for me. I guess my theme or inspiration is space because you never know what’s out there, just like life. The stars are people; there’s so many but you never see them all.

After I got all my thoughts down on paper, I had to put them on my board. Instead of spray painting, I used a method called sponge-dabbing with acrylic paint. I used analogous colours in my meteor by going from yellow through orange into red. The logo in the meteor is my brand logo called “Cosmic Dragon” which I hope to continue later in life.

Being a skater and always buying my boards from stores, making one was so much better! You can make your own skateboard however you want… colours, patterns, styles, anything you want can happen. The one thing I can say is I love my board and Oasis Skateboard Factory is awesome! Also, thanks to our community partners Roarockit Skateboard Company!!!!!!

Funkified


I’m from Ottawa and moved here like 3 months ago or something. I found out about this program before I moved here and thought it would be pretty sick. The theme for my graphic, as you can see, is Del The Funkee Homosapien because he is too ill.

The colours in the background are to bring out his image. I used rolled on acrylic paint for the background and then sponged acrylic for the image of Del and his name. I used patterned lines and bright colours that I think flow nicely with the deck.

What I am trying to communicate through this longboard design is that Del is awesome and that’s about it. I think my first skateboard is ok. That’s all I have to say about that.

Outreach: Supporting the Dundas Living Centre


This skateboard is being donated to an auction in support of young adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities and is part of this student's series promoting female skateboarding.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Coffee Vacuum Experiment with Sam James


Students got a hands-on demo grinding beans, brewing siphon coffee and a tasting with award-winning barista Sam James today. Sam talked about his experiences skateboarding, starting an entrepreneurial business, latte art and compared the science of the vacuum pot to our vacuum bags that we use in the skateboard shaping process. We are really excited (or caffeinated?!!) to build him a custom designed skateboard as one of our first sponsors of the school year. Visit Sam James Coffee Bar at 297 Harbord St.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Building Street Puppets for the Night of Dread






Clay & Paper Theatre has generously donated their Liberty Village studio to give the OSF students a big space to build giant street puppets for the 10th annual Night of Dread. Help carry a puppet and join the "Hell on Wheels" contingent of this community parade event on Saturday, October 24th....meet us outside the rinkhouse in Dufferin Grove Park at 5 PM! (South of Bloor, East side of Dufferin accross from Dufferin Mall)