The Art Box

This was such a delightful conversation with photographer Will Enos, whom I met recently at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. Will and his wife, Beth (also a fabulous photographer and a soon to be Art Box guest), were attending our mutual friend Candace Garlock's remarkable Road to Terminus exhibition, and I'm grateful our paths crossed.

For more than forty years, Will has cha...

As part of our continuing coverage of the 41st Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, Steve Dudrow welcomes filmmaker Natalie Aramendia and singer, songwriter, and actress Kristyn Harris to discuss the creation of the award-winning film A Ranch Musical.

Recorded during our nineteenth conversation connected to this year's Gathering, Natalie and Kristyn take listeners behind the scenes of bringing this heartfelt sto...

MJ sits down with Laura Buxton, President of the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association, to discuss how the organization is helping shape the next generation of golfers and community leaders. Laura shares the association's mission of creating a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment where young athletes develop not only their golf skills, but also confidence, discipline, teamwork, respect, and ...

In this engaging episode of The Art Box, MJ Stiles sits down with Mesquite's own Kathy Cho, a woman whose creative talents seem to know no bounds. Kathy is a professional golfer, sought-after golf instructor, accomplished artist, internationally recognized clothing designer, and musician whose curiosity and passion continue to inspire those around her.

Kathy shares her journey in the world of golf and her dedication to teaching pla...

Every once in a while, The Art Box likes to pause from our usual conversations and celebrate the days that quietly stitch together the fabric of our shared lives. Holidays. Cultural moments. National remembrances. Days that ask us not simply to wave a flag or mark a calendar… but to reflect.

One of the beautiful things about nearly five hundred episodes of conversations is that along the way, we’ve gathered an extraord...

From international stages to television studios, bestselling author, speaker, artist, and creativity advocate Judi Moreo has spent a lifetime helping others discover what they're truly capable of. In this inspiring conversation, Judi shares her journey of resilience, reinvention, and creative courage, along with lessons learned while speaking in 29 countries and empowering countless individuals to pursue their dreams. We also discu...

On Episode 447 of The Art Box, we sit down with one of Mesquite's most beloved performers, volunteers, writers, and community champions, Cheryl Kilker.

From her days traveling the world with Up with People as Cheryl Kirking to her years on stage, in community service, and as an author, Cheryl has spent a lifetime creating connections and inspiring others. We talk about her remarkable journey, her love of music and performance, her ...

Turn it up, Art Box listeners!

For our milestone Episode 450, MJ takes The Art Box on the road to the Headliners Club for an electrifying evening with Petty Fever, one of the nation's premier Tom Petty tribute bands. From the first guitar riff to the final encore, the energy was off the charts as fans packed the venue to celebrate the timeless music of one of rock's most beloved songwriters.

MJ goes backstage and behind the music t...

On Episode 446 of The Art Box, we conclude our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip with Scott and Vicki, owners of Uninhibited: A Craft Brew Experience.

What began as a love of craft beer has grown into something much larger, a gathering place where neighbors become friends, conversations flow as easily as the beverages, and community is always on tap. Scott and Vicki share the story behind their unique business, the welcoming atmospher...

On Episode 445 of The Art Box, recorded during our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip, we visit with tattoo artist and business owner Jennifer Sutton of Above the Bar Tattoo.

Jennifer shares stories from her early life, her path into the world of tattoo artistry, and the creative journey that eventually led her and her husband Nick from Venice, California to the Carson Valley. What they found in Gardnerville was more than a place to op...

On Episode 444 of The Art Box, recorded during our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip, we visit with artist Will Pender at the lively atmosphere of DST Coffee.

Will shares stories of being the kid who was always drawing, how his artistic talents unexpectedly led him into a career as a law enforcement sketch artist, and how retirement has opened new doors for exploration, creativity, and curiosity. Today, Will is known for his striking ...

Nestled in the heart of Gardnerville, Nevada, Luminary Books is much more than a bookstore, it is a community gathering place where creativity, curiosity, and connection thrive. In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with owner Marissa Mills, an artist, dance instructor, passionate reader, and champion of all things creative.

Marissa shares the story behind one of Steve's favorite independent bookstores, her love of litera...

Step back in time with us as we visit Gardnerville, Nevada, and meet Rielynn, the creative force behind Eye of Rie Tintype Photography. In an age of smartphones and instant images, Rielynn has embraced one of photography's oldest and most fascinating processes, creating stunning tintype portraits that connect modern subjects with the rich history of the photographic arts.

In this episode, we explore Rielynn's journey into historic ...

Recorded in Gardnerville, Nevada, Steve sits down with Jen Tune, Executive Director of Main Street Gardnerville, for a conversation about the power of creativity, collaboration, and community vision in rural Nevada.

Jen shares how Main Street Gardnerville works to support local businesses, strengthen economic development, celebrate the arts, and create a vibrant sense of place for r...

Poet, scholar, and proud Arab American Rayann Hijazi joins The Art Box Podcast to discuss the powerful intersection of poetry, culture, and science. A former Poetry Out Loud national competitor and current Microbiology and Immunology student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Rayann shares how her Palestinian heritage influences her writing, the challenges of finding your voice between different worlds, and...

Episode 438 steps into the sharp edges of perseverance, trust, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of possibility. In this conversation, Steve sits down with author, climber, speaker, teacher, and lifelong seeker Dierdre to discuss her new book, Success in 7 Steps, and the lived experiences that shaped it.

From rock climbing partnerships where lives quite literally hang in the balance, to navigating difficult personal chapters w...

What happens when four talented photographers who first met through creative wanderings across the American West finally sit down together for a roundtable conversation?

A whole lot of laughter, insight, storytelling… and a deep appreciation for the art of noticing.

In this special The Art Box Podcast roundtable episode, Steve welcomes returning guests Tiffany Weems, Sue Beauchamp, Teresa Wasiak, and Marla Aufmuth for an eng...

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Kristi Tausinga, manager of the Mesquite Works STEAM Center, to explore creativity, mentorship, healing, and the joy of helping young minds discover those unforgettable “aha” moments.

A retired police officer turned educational leader, Kristi brings a deeply human perspective to her work with students. Known for thinking outside the box, she...