Keepin' Up...our Second Semester starts Wednesday, February 3!

Thanks for making the FINE GRIND 2 Opening Party a huge success!

A big thank-you to everyone who made our art show opening party and fundraiser/sale at Manic Coffee a huge success! It was standing room only for most of the night and packed out the door with students and their friends, families, and community supporters who were celebrating the end of our first semester of our expanded program. Students who completed the program and are moving on to other schools received certificates designed by our Community Council, there was lots of donated swag and Manic Coffee donated the proceeds of drink sales for the evening to the students. A highlight of the show was the display of 4 original longboard prototypes designed by the students and mentored by Roarockit Skateboard Company (proceeds from the sale of these goes to charity). We were happy that the Principal and Vice-Principal bought a skateboard and most other skateboards were sold within the first 2 hours by folks coming in off the street....there are still some decks available, so check out our show which is on until February 28th!

Sponsor: Individual Commission

Sponsor: Function 13

Ryan sponsored this new addition to the F13 Design, Art + Technology Store!

Sponsor: Slick Slack (Post Production)

Students showcase their skateboards at the FINE GRIND 2 opening party...

Read more at:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/community/education/article/544341--students-showcase-skateboard-creations

WOLF

My name is Brittany, but I go by Wolf. I live near downtown Toronto (hell yeah for T!). I've been in this program since September and I'm loving every minute of it. This board was inspired by anime, an anime called “Wolf's Rain”. In this anime the wolves left in the world have taken cover as humans, and humans have been led to believe this animal is extinct.

I added the green drool to add some colour and to make the design catch your eye. I also put claw marks on both bottom and top to give the board more flow. I threw on the card symbols on his teeth to give the board more of an exciting kind of edge; I thought adding the hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds was tricky to do and a bit of a gamble, but what’s the point of adding card symbols if you can't take a chance? This is my first complete skateboard and after many layers of stenciling I think it's safe to say it wont be hitting the streets...no this board is staying at home on my wall!

All of my art is usually hand drawn, and my ideas go straight from my mind to paper. I'm very articulate and I think outside of the box like most students in this class. I pride myself in my stencil work and the art I've produced in this class; I always take things a step farther with detail then I have to, always turning out with a sweet finish. It's going to be hard to leave this school since it almost seems like it was made for me, but once I leave I'm taking the experience and skills I've used in this class room and I'm going to continue using them to design some of the SICKEST street decks (and maybe even some long boards)!

Sponsor: Blessings in a Backpack

FINE GRIND 2

You are invited to come celebrate the end of the first semester of our expanded skateboard design program at Manic Coffee (426 College Street, East of Bathurst) on Tuesday, January 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM! Refreshments and snacks will be served, skateboards on display, and we will be selling custom designed longboards as a fundraiser for four charities chosen by the students.

Stickers & Paste-Ups

Students braved the January cold to install their Paste-Ups on a legal wall in our local graffiti alley. Small versions of their designs were also produced as Stickers and students created a collaborative skateboard for display in our upcoming art show.

Calavera Pin-Up

I'm a Toronto chick (born and raised), 18 years old and running. I've been part of Oasis skateboard program for 2 years now and this longboard is the one I take great pride and joy in. When I was thinking about the layout of my piece, I tried to make it look as if she was leaning on the right side while her shoes filled in the bottom, giving the design more of a flow. Since this is my first longboard, I wanted to use the shape of the deck to my advantage, as well as have a nude woman pin-up, but I had to keep reminding myself to keep it classy and school appropriate.

The nude woman is based on a well-known celebration that takes place in Mexico (Days Of The Dead) that I take great interest in. Sadly, I never got around to adding the designs on her face, but in the long run the combination of black and white with the dark chestnut stain brought my kick ass design to life.

With all of my artwork, I try to challenge myself to think outside the box and shun the thought of headaches and the hair ripping frustration of putting my complex designs together. I like to "push the envelope" detail wise. After Oasis makes me leave this family (don’t think I'll be going without a fight!), I'm going to stay in touch with my art and remember the lessons learned about communication and working well with others.

I'm looking forward to working on another deck as well as getting my work known worldwide!