The Art Box

This month at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center, the themed exhibition "A Touch of Red" showcased vibrant and captivating works of art. Taking home Best in Show was "Red Barn #2," a stunning piece by artist Katherine Rountree. In this episode, Katherine joins host Floyd Johnson to share the story behind her award-winning artwork, her creative process, and what inspires her. Tune in for an engaging con...

Welcome to The Art Box! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of watercolor with award-winning artist Daniel Marshall. Known for his masterful use of light, atmosphere, and expressive brushwork, Daniel has built a reputation for capturing the beauty of landscapes, urban scenes, and nature with striking depth and emotion. Join us as we explore his artistic journey, creative process, and the...

Earlier this year, Linda and Steve found themselves at Core Contemporary, chatting with Nancy Good when she casually mentioned synesthesia—a concept that, at the time, went right over our heads. Later, guest Monica Martinez brought it up again, and Laura Hales from Scottsdale Arts took it a step further, sharing her plans to curate an entire exhibition on the subject. That’s when Monica came to th...

Today on The Art Box, we welcomed local Mesquite author Sandi Randelle to our STEAM Center studio for an engaging conversation about her work and creative journey. Sandi holds a BA in English from Eastern New Mexico University and an MA in English Literature from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A native Floridian, she now calls Mesquite, NV, home as she continues crafting captivating stories....

We enjoyed a delightful time chatting with Sydney Carnevale-Baker about her journey and love for the tiniest of creatures.  Sydney Carnevale-Baker is a Las Vegas-based photographer with a knack for finding the hidden gems of nature, even when those gems are mostly bugs and sand. Armed with a camera, an unrelenting sense of adventure, and possibly a GPS to find her way out of the desert, she loves...

We’re kicking off 2025 with our first Best in Show themed podcast, and we’re thrilled to announce that our very own host, Floyd Johnson, took home the top ribbon! This exciting turn of events means Linda is stepping in as host, while Floyd joins us as the guest of honor. In this special episode, we dive into Floyd’s stunning white-on-black drawing of Michael Jordan, the award-winning piece. He sha...

Happy New Year. Let's start off 2025 with a Clouds in the Sand podcast we recorded in June of 2023. We have enlisted Addie to migrate selected Clouds episodes over to the Art Box this year and this her first production edit. This particular episode isn’t entirely about art—at least not in the traditional sense—but we firmly believe that art is everywhere creativity thrives. By that measure, our fr...

Chris stopped by the Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio on her way to an evening of dark sky gazing at Gold Butte National Monument. Both Chris and Steve are Volunteer Wilderness Stewards for the Bureau of Land Management in Washington County, Utah. But Chris's story doesn't end there—she is so much more. In her professional career, Chris worked as a Neonatal Nurse, devoting her life to...

In March 0f 2023, Linda and Steve launched a new podcast called Clouds in the Sand, shifting the focus from pure art to a broader exploration of the humanities. The first episode featured a conversation with our friend Rex, whom we met at the Mesquite Library Learning Center. Back then, this was where we recorded our episodes before moving into our current studio at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center...

In this special 2024 wrap-up episode of The Art Box Podcast, we reflect on an incredible year filled with inspiring conversations, unforgettable guests, and creative breakthroughs. From uncovering the stories behind bold art journeys to exploring the passions that drive creators across Nevada and beyond, this year has been one for the books. We’ll revisit some standout moments, highlight a few of...

In this episode, we sit down with KC Christon, the creative force behind the film Dog City and the beloved Hangin' With KC children's book series. KC shares his journey as a writer, director, producer, and author, blending storytelling with impactful themes that resonate across audiences of all ages. From the gritty world of Dog City, a film exploring the complexities of gambling culture, to his m...

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic world of Futurism with Las Vegas artist Lisa Hohenschuh. Known for her bold and innovative work, Lisa shares how the Futurist movement’s fascination with speed, technology, and modernity influences her artistic process. We explore the movement's origins, its impact on contemporary art, and how it continues to inspire bold creative visions today. Lisa discu...

Our friends at the Nevada Arts Council connected us with the remarkable Pat Hickey, journalist, state leader, regional spokesperson, and author of the thought-provoking book Here and Hereafter: Nevada Voices on Life and the Great Beyond. This captivating work explores the profound questions of life and the afterlife through the perspectives of 34 prominent Nevadans, offering a unique glimpse into...

In this episode of The Art Box - Best in Show, our host Floyd switches roles and steps to the other side of the mic to share the story behind his award-winning entry. Slip on your headphones and join Linda as she dives into an engaging conversation with Floyd, exploring the fascinating 80-year history that makes his entry truly one of a kind. Visit the Mesquite Fine Arts Center at 15 W Mesquite Bl...

We had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Withanee Andersen , co-author of Walk of Ages. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Withanee shares the story behind her incredible 131-mile hike from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental U.S., to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in Death Valley National Park. This journey, inspired by her father, Jim Andersen, is as heartfelt as...

I’m genuinely at a loss for words to capture my conversation with Myranda Bair, it was inspiring, delightful, insightful, and so much fun. I wished it could have gone on forever! This is one of those episodes you simply have to experience for yourself. Myranda is truly one of the most remarkable individuals gracing our planet. Thank you, Myranda! Now, everyone, don’t miss this, tune in and enjoy!...

Steve capped off his trip to Scottsdale with an enlightening visit with Lauren O'Connell, curator of contemporary art at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in Arizona. The inspiring and thought-provoking conversation left him smiling all the way home on the drive back to Mesquite.  Lauren is a curator, writer, and educator focusing on contemporary art. Lauren previously held positio...

Steve had the distinct pleasure of visiting Scottsdale, AZ, to engage in an inspiring conversation with Laura Hales, curator for the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' Center Gallery. With Linda traveling, our good friend and frequent guest Jen Urso stepped in as co-host. Don’t miss this captivating discussion. Enjoy! Laura Hales curates Center Space, a community-based art gallery inside S...

In this episode of The Art Box, we have the privilege of speaking with Nancy Alain, a Las Vegas-based artist whose powerful work is deeply informed by her 20-year career in the foreign service. Having served in some of the world's most conflict-ridden and impoverished regions, Nancy shares extraordinary stories of how creativity can flourish even amidst war, scarcity, and adversity. Discover how h...

Linda and Steve had the absolute pleasure of a wide ranging conversation with Tony Chavez. Tony's interests are varied and inspiring, we chatted about algae based carbon capture, love of our environment, art of manifesting ideas to reality, recycling and he sent us both down a rabbit hole researching Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Tony is an ultra interesting guest and you will enjoy th...

Meet Pablo Gonzales Flores, an extraordinary artist introduced to us by Nancy Good at Core Contemporary. Pablo's work transcends boundaries, drawing inspiration from the vibrant palettes used by American Indigenous creators. His visions are deeply rooted in ancestral traditions, beliefs, Zoomorpism, and knowledge, offering a profound connection to history through his art. Sit back and immerse your...

Mesquite had the honor of hosting Clark County, Nevada Poet Laureate Ms. AyeVee (Ashley Vargas) last Tuesday. She captivated the audience as the November guest for the Brown Bag Cultural Series at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center, followed by a special visit to the Mesquite Works STEAM Center to record the milestone 250th episode of The Art Box podcast. Steve first connected with Ashley during the cr...

Join us for a special 2024 Veterans Day episode featuring Dean Nakayama as he shares stories from his life before, during, and after his career as a Naval Aviator. Linda spotted Dean on the dance floor at Casa and invited him to join us, and what a fascinating conversation it turned out to be! From his service on the USS Midway and his time with the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility to piloting ba...

Vintage Guys, Vintage Rock. The guys from Chicago will be back on stage at the Mesquite Community Theatre on Saturday, November 16 at 7 PM in concert benefitting the Virgin Valley Community Food Bank . Suzie recently gathered them in our Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio to chat about their upcoming show, nuns with rulers, growing up in Chicago and how they determine their play list. Dr...

Wow, what an inspiring conversation we had with therapeutic art practitioner Champagne Roca! We explored carving out personal space, the layered nature of therapy, capturing visual snapshots, the powerful influence of her grandmother, the value of peer collaboration, and her creative passions. So, grab your headphones, settle in with your latest art project, and enjoy this chat with a true Las Veg...