Quaker Pirate School
It's time we take back Peace! It is beyond time to prioritize peace education.
By night, I am a graffiti artist that posts images around New York City to make us all think about peace, unity, and stewardship of the planet. During the day, I am available to teach, speak, and exhibit in your community. Here are some creative workshops and projects that I can bring to your students or community members that will support and strengthen your Peace curriculum or Peace values. - Todd Drake
Graffiti Stickers
In this workshop, students learn to design, cut, and print stickers that speak to issues of importance to them.
One school has even stared graffiti sticker walls where students can post these stickers. A fun mural project that can evolve over time.
I use quick drying ink for this project so that students can trim and peal their stickers before leaving the workshop and add them to their water bottle or laptop.
Appropriate for upper primary school to adults.
Peace Posters
Students will leave this workshop with a large Peace poster that they have printed into - adding the focal point in the center.
I also share my own posters and those of Peter Paul Piech, the inspiration for this "Embrace Peace" Poster.
We use student safe inks that take a few days to dry.
Appropriate for upper primary school to adults
Group Print
A perfect community cooperative project for older and younger students.
" Rolling ink with a brayer is so satisfying!"
This statement is common with this workshop where one class or age group rolls on the background color and another prints the black double olive trees on top for a very large print ( 6 feet by 6 feet).
The olive tree is the international symbol for friendship. The symbol of the Peace Dove carries an olive branch.
The final print can be framed and kept as a reminder that you cannot have peace without friendship.
Students of all ages can participate in the group print project.
Wall Mural
Would you like a mural to peace for your community or school? If so, I am happy to work on a bespoke design. The mural's content can be shaped by communities input and in some cases they can help paint it.
The mural feartured above is a proposal only. I have painted several murals on the inside of schools and can provide photos on request.
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Ground Mural
Do you have a parking lot or other concrete surface you would like to have a Peace Mural on? If so, let's talk!
The above featured photo is for a ground mural I am doing in 2025 at Pendle Hill Center in PA. I am interested in painting these with Quaker communities all over the USA, including Quaker Schools, Meetings, and even Quaker Retirement Centers!
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Portraits that Inspire
George Fox said " Be Patterns,.. so that you answer that of God in all people."
These "Be Patterns" graffiti style portraits are of Quaker activists throughout history. I think of them as all Quaker Pirates. Their stories, and their struggles will inspire your community to continue its justice and peace work in these hard times.
These portraits can be displayed to fit your community. They are great starting points for discussions or queries.
I can design an art making activity around this series that meets the skill level of your community or students.
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Show! Don't Tell!
My linocut prints are available for exhibition in your school, gallery, museum, or community space. I have recently had solo shows at Friends Academy in Locust Valley - check out the walk through video of that show. I have also recently had a solo show at The Cumberland County Historical Society in Carlisle, PA. This exhibition is sponsored by a wonderful group of Veterans with J. Sherwood McGinnis, Jr. War, Peace, and Justice Project and the Carlisle Quaker Meeting. In 2024, I had a solo show at Pendle Hill Center near Media, PA.
I can include large and/or small prints to fit your needs. My body of prints focuses on subjects including peace, unity, empathy, and stewardship of the environment. If wall space is limited I can also bring works to share in a temporary or pop up setting.
Let's talk!
Teaching Experience
I may be a pirate, but I am also a very experienced art educator. I began teaching as an adult at New Garden Friends School in Greensboro, NC. I taught k-5 studio art there for 5 years. I next began teaching art history to adults at Guilford College. I was there for 5 years as well. I have also taught at UNC Chapel Hill, and have taught studio art classes at NC A and T University, High Point University, and Rockingham Community College. I was a Rockerfeller Fellow at the Center for Global Initiatives at UNC Chapel Hill where I co-created a text book on immigration that was used in college course. I have taught photography with the US State Department in the Middle East. After moving to New York City in 2015, I was a visiting artist for BRIC Arts Media and The Brooklyn Arts Council. I also worked with serveral Community Justice Centers across NYC teaching digital photography and video editing. My last full-time teaching job was teaching art and advertising in a New York City Public High School. ( You guessed it, I was there five years.)
Currently, I am focusing on teaching at schools interested in strengthening their commitment to peace and justice. Most recently, I have been a visiting artist at Westtown Friends, George School, Friends Academy, Wilmington College in Ohio, and Pendle Hill Center in PA. I am finger-printed with the New York City School System and can provide my CV and references on request.
Contact Todd Drake to discuss bringing Quaker Pirate School to your community.
I can provide details on these workshops upon request and discuss costs and availability. Please don't hesitate to reach out if these exact workshops do not seem right for your community, I am also interested in developing new workshops.