Dan Clarkson, who shares his love of acting with his wife, Amber, and their four children, is pictured with them at the 2012 Traditions of Christmas. leans, the space is replete with a swimming pool, dozens of vignettes, including a fireman’s pole and tiki areas with palapas. It’s favorite gathering spot for friends and family, and the Clarksons recently hosted a post-production cast party for Les Misérables that included skits and singing. “My goal would be to please the Lord with what I do, with what I create, and to bring joy to other people when they see something,” he said. “I think of our backyard and when we have parties and we have people over; it’s exciting to see how the little kids just run around in this
big playland. That’s fun for me.” The backyard oasis has created a perfect avenue for Clarkson to put to good use his unusual collegiate pairing: a major in mechanical engineering and a minor in music. “It’s two sides of my brain constantly at battle,” he said. Though both sides battle, Clarkson is clearly in tune with his creative side and its power to transform. “I think artwork and music is an extension of the beauty that God’s given to our lives,” he said. “I see artwork as a form of praise because when you draw
and create you are thanking the Lord because you are describing His creation in art in one form or another. All we are doing is drawing a picture of what God has created. He’s the one who has ultimately created the masterpiece. We are just replicating it. “You know, if the Bible says we are created in God’s image, then, if you look at the creativity of every person and how everybody has different creative elements, it must please God because He sees himself in us. Just like when we see our children do something that is really precious and it makes us proud.” ■
Patrick Henry College introduces another reason to know us ... ECONOMICS & BUSINESS ANALYTICS A major preparing students to serve Christ in business and economics.
The Economics & Business Analytics major is designed for students interested in pursuing: • An MA in Economics or an MBA • A career in business or entrepreneurship • A career in economic policy In the process, students will learn free-market oriented economics, advanced data and mathematical analysis, and essential business skills, all grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation that equips them for success in any field.
PATRICK HENRY COLLEGE
To find out more, visit us at
college.phc.edu
For Christ & for Liberty
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REFRESHED | December 2014