STORYTELLERS CREATIVE ARTS - MEET THE ARTISTS!

Dr. Bill Barnett, Host

Meet the Artists will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM EST on Zoom.

Meet the Artists is an event designed to connect with artists of all types to engage in their stories, the intersection of their faith and art, and how artists can tell His story to transform culture.

Founded in 2002, Storytellers Creative Arts is a faith-based 501c3 ministry with a dual mission of MINISTRY TO ARTISTS: Discipling and equipping artists – the most influential people, in the most influential places, and MINISTRY THROUGH ARTISTS: Unleashing and sending artists to impact the culture in their spheres of influence, advancing the mission of Christ.

SCA has been active in Southwest Florida since 2012 combining its efforts and establishing community partnerships to reach the underprivileged, bringing hope and healing to children, families, and adults battling addiction.

Featured Artists:

Nathan Clarkson, Actor, Artist, and Author

Nathan is an award-winning actor, best-selling author, filmmaker, and well-known and beloved Clarkson Family. Nathan has appeared in national commercials, TV shows, and major feature films. As a filmmaker, Nathan’s original movies have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pureflix, and more. With his company, Clarkson Creations, Nathan has produced such indie hits as Confessions of a Prodigal Son, The Unlikely Good Samaritan, and the recent Christmas film Miracle on Highway 34, featuring Hollywood stars Oscar-Nominated actors. Nathan’s next film, Don’t Know Jack, is currently in production.

Nathan released his first book, Different, a personal memoir of stories of and thoughts on growing up with a neurodivergent mind. The book quickly became a national bestseller after an interview on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Nathan’s most recent book project entitled Good Man was another personal memoir filled with stories and thoughts on whom men were actually created to be. Nathan is also the author of two children’s books, including the best-selling Only You Can Be You and the upcoming The Clubhouse. Nathan’s next full-length book is coming out in 2022.

Nathan is also the co-host of the popular podcast The Overthinkers, “A place for the creative intellectual.” The podcast covers topics of faith, art, philosophy, and the big questions of life. In addition, the program features a host of influential and exciting guests.

Nathan’s words have been featured and quoted in outlets like The LA Times, Variety, The Gazette, Publisher’s Weekly, and more.

Martha Christian, Singer, and Songwriter

Serving the church for the past 26 years, Martha Christian is most at home inviting others into meaningful encounters in worship, whether on a stage or over a cup of coffee. Her deep faith and her love for connecting people has brought her down some unusual roads. From her earliest roots at the Jesus Barn in central Illinois to serving in different churches, she also spent several years developing herself as a performing songwriter, winning a regional contest with the Hard Rock Cafe, playing at the iconic Blue Bird as well as many local venues and festivals.

In 2012, she recorded her debut album, “Dare You to Trust Me,” with veteran producer Tim Norris with whom she recorded her follow-up project, “All Will Be Well.” Martha, her husband Joel and their 4 kids relocated in 2014 to Bowling Green, KY upon invitation to serve at Broadway UMC. Her love for equipping and encouraging other leaders led her to grow a non-profit that connected local worship leaders through conferences, monthly meetings and mentoring, and to serve in leadership with several local ministries.

In 2020, thanks to an accidental Zoom call invitation, Martha found a new love of connecting people to that same compassionate and gracious God through coaching. During the pandemic, in between making virtual duets with other artists, leading worship online, and writing with other songwriters, she got certified as a Christian Life Coach. Today she splits her time between leading worship, recording her latest studio album and meeting with leaders and artists that want some help untangling their faith. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube.

Peter Bakelaar, Visual Artist and Missionary

Peter was always interested in art. He graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. He became a graphic designer and worked for an advertising agency. He and his family moved to Japan in 1990 with Mission to The World to help churches grow and be a positive influence in Japan.

Over the last 10 years Peter was encouraged to explore using his art background and talents in a more expressive way in Japan. Through many talks, discussions and reading books, ideas started to form.

Peter attended four art residencies. Two were in India, one in Berlin and one in Cuba. Through these residencies, Peter saw art used to give a voice to people in society that had no voice. Peter saw art impacting communities and engaging people in producing beauty and excitedly sharing common interests. Two venues (Studio Tsunagaru, Gallery nani) where eventually opened that are devoted to showcasing beauty, creatively addressing social issues, providing a place for collaboration and open dialog, and developing residencies devoted to expanding world views and mentoring artists in excellence.

Peter and his wife Diane have served in Japan since 1990. The Bakelaars are committed to knowing Christ and making Him known among the Japanese. Their desire is to be used of God in Japan toward “Advancing God’s kingdom by mentoring leaders to be part of a movement that is multiplying churches that are multiplying disciples through the power of the gospel.”