Quaker Artist Todd Drake Returns

Westtown Lower School, and Lower School art teachers Jane Chesson and Kelly Nicholson, were pleased to welcome New York City-based artist, Todd Drake as our 2024 Candace Freeman Artist-in-Residence. Todd is a Quaker printmaker and street artist whose artwork addresses the themes of peace, resilience, and community. Todd worked alongside PK – 5th grade students during their art classes throughout the week-long residency to learn the process of lino-cut printmaking. Students learned about concept planning, carving linoleum-style printing blocks, and all had a chance to “pull a print.” Drake will take the student work back to his NYC studio to create a collaborative mixed-media collage, which will feature his own work alongside student prints and will be installed in the Lower School later this spring. Enjoy photos of Drake working with students here.

The Artist-in-Residence Program began over thirty years ago and focuses on bringing professional artists to Westtown Lower School to share their artistic process and inspiration with our students. The opportunity for young artists to work alongside a professional artist is a valuable and important piece of our arts curriculum. You can see many of the Artist-in-Residence projects from years past throughout the Lower School hallways.