Tucked down a dumpster-blocked laneway off of Dufferin, Friday's launch of the Oasis Skateboard Factory Pop-Up was a-buzz with participating student entrepreneurs, supportive friends and family,Toronto Design Offsite attendees, and maybe one or two lured in with the promise of free Glory Hole Doughnuts.
Like a more advanced and practical co-op, the Oasis Skateboard Factory — in partnership with the Baitshop, a screen-printing and skate shop mecca — helps street-savvy students hone their design chops and develop real world business skills, while earning high school credit at the same time. With help from local artists and community partners, the young designers create their own company brands and hawk their creative products for sale, including streetwear designs, skateboards and longboards, and upcycled items made from old boards, like jewellery, speaker casings, and kitchen utensils.
