Happy Summer OSF Students: skate safe & see you in September!

*OSF Teachers for upcoming 2012/13 school year: Lauren Hortie & Craig Morrison

Our classroom workshop is now closed and will reopen on Tuesday, September 4th, but if you need to reach the school in the summer please call Anita in the Main Office of Oasis Alternative S.S. at 416-393-9830 or email Craig at craig.morrison@tdsb.on.ca . The first day back for new and returning students to claim their spots and be timetabled is Thursday, September 6th at 10:30 AM.
* Update: An info session will be held on Wednesday, September 5th at 9AM for any available Sem 1 spaces. 

In recognition of achieving an amazing 100% course completion rate (all students passed all credits this semester!!!), OSF students were awarded Orangatang wheels by our friends at Loaded!

A Push to Succeed: An OSF High School Graduate with his happy family and proud teachers!!!

Only at a school like OSF: "Street Artist of the Year Award" & "Principal's Award" go to the same student!

Celebrating Student Success: Student Awards & Graduation BBQ at Roarockit

Thanks to our new and old program partners for such amazing prizes, awards and loot bags: Longboard Living, Comet, Freedom Fighter, EVOLVE Tours, The Baitshop, Loaded, Manic Coffee, Above Ground Art Supplies, Blue Tile Lounge, Bungalow, Black Market, BMV, Hells Bells, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Hogtown Extreme Sports, Lucky 13,  Kid Icarus, Spacing Magazine, Exile, The Beguiling, Silver Snail, Midoco. Thanks to John Marriott, our amazing intern,  for coordinating this and making this event memorable for students.

Special Thanks to Roarockit's crew for hosting a delicious BBQ for our students, friends and families!!!

Final Sem. 2 OSF Art Show/Sale installation at Roarockit (June 2012)

Prototypes: OSF x GRIND Skate Shop (Oceanside, California)

Clients: Cardinal Skate Shop, Boreal Gelato, Adrenaline Tattoo, Individual Sponsor, Village Butcher

End of year gifts: Thanks to our intern Victoria for printing our "OSF 2012 Class Portrait" Tees & Christine Jackson, Coordinator of ARTS, TDSB is presented an OSF Shop deck at TIFF Event!

Last Class: Portfolio Review & Pay Day!

MHE Media

I was at OSF for just one semester, but I wish I were able to stay for at least one more.  Over the past five months, I’ve been able to bring my passion for photography, skateboarding and entrepreneurship together within a one-of-a-kind school environment. 

My personal deck is the first step in branding my own media business, one that will specialize in photography and videography.  As this past semester went along, I was able to have more opportunities to capture the events and daily happenings at OSF.  As I started getting more camera gear, I also developed my technique and became not only better, but also more confident when shooting.

I designed my deck to reflect my passion for photography, with a 35mm filmstrip running from end-to-end, and with a 70s style wood stain to reference what I think was a really influential period in photography. The lettering style for MHE Media was collaboration with TRNE TRKS.  I was happy with his clean lettering and style, choosing colours that would pop and stand out from the rest of the board.

Cowgirl (with inlayed metal rose)

At the end of my first semester at OSF I feel like I’ve done so many things that I never thought I would do… like skateboard.  I’ve always wanted to extend and further develop my artistic ability, and through this program I have had the opportunity to do this in a fun way with a lot of support!

This board was a result of discussions with Paul, one of the OSF teaching interns, about how gender stereotypes limit how we act and see the world around us.  The image I used is the silhouette of a cowgirl holding a pistol, with a rose vine curling up around her body and arm.  The image is supposed to juxtapose ideas of masculinity and femininity, breaking down the opposition that people believe exists between them.

I believe that we give too much power to stereotypes and are too quick to judge people based on what we think they are, without actually getting to know who they are.  Through my board I’m trying to deconstruct the assumptions we make about femininity – she holds power (represented by the pistol), but the metallic vine reminds us that women do not need to rely on violence to gain power and equality.