Wachiay Studio is a social enterprise operated by the Wachiay Friendship Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada within the traditional lands of the K’omoks First Nation. Beginning as a Thursday afterschool art & screenprinting class for youth in 2012, the new 2500 sq. ft. facility opened in May 2015 and features a dedicated art room for analog and digital art preparation and film, a t-shirt & textile department, limited edition screenprinting up to 24x36” using waterbased inks, and industrial/functional print capabilities. The studio offers services for artists, schools, community groups and individuals along with an opportunity for urban and rural aboriginal youth interested in a career in art and screenprinting to learn while working alongside professionals.

Our youth programming is going strong – One Tribe has launched an online store. Check out the latest designs and watch for the booth at festivals. The ‘print-your-own shirt’ programs for school and community groups are extremely popular with both kids and elders. “Best school trip ever!” was one comment recently. We’ll take that!

Although the Studio has a strong focus on NW Coast traditional art, recent jobs include a series of limited edition prints by a trio of UK designers celebrating pinball, and tour shirts and posters for American folk artist Willie Watson. Whatever style, we offer top quality screenprinting of fine art and posters, and will work with artists and designers to bring their ideas to life on paper and other materials.

Our textile department features environmentally safe waterbased inks, and offers contract printing on a wide range of garments, bags, and other material in men’s, women’s, and children’s styles, on brands such as American Apparel, Gildan, Anvil, Fruit of the Loom, and Bella & Canvas.