The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 460 - America’s 250th Birthday Celebration

Welcome to a very special edition of The Art Box Podcast, recorded from the Mesquite Works STEAM Center in the Mojave Desert.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, an idea was set into motion, imperfect, evolving, debated, celebrated… and endlessly interpreted through the voices of generations that followed. America has always been more than dates in a textbook or words on fading parchment. It lives in stories. In songs. In poetry. In memory. In the arts.
And tonight, The Art Box gathers together a remarkable group of past guests and creative voices to help us celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the way we know best—through storytelling, music, reflection, and heart.
From Placerville, cowboy poet Gwen Reid joins us with a very special original poem created for this occasion—words shaped by open landscapes, American spirit, and the enduring power of story passed from one generation to the next.
Musician Rachelle McMullin and Lori Dawn bring us her stirring rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, performed on fiddle and recorded live amid the joyful energy of the spring lawnmower races in Beaver Dam, because perhaps nothing feels more uniquely American than music rising unexpectedly from dust, laughter, and community.
Author Stephen Murray returns to share an essay written by his friend Ralph Champion, offering thoughtful reflections on the meaning of America through the written word.
We are also honored to welcome Dr. Leigh Roessner, Regent of the Virgin Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who will shine a light on two remarkable female American heroes whose courage and contributions deserve to be remembered as part of our shared national story.
And finally, vocalist DJ VanDyke will close our celebration with her heartfelt rendition of God Bless America, recorded at the Mesquite Library, a reminder that libraries, gathering places, and community voices remain part of the living soul of this country.
At The Art Box, we’ve always believed that art is one of the ways we better understand each other… and perhaps understand our nation a little more clearly too.
So tonight, wherever you may be listening from, we invite you to celebrate not only America’s history. but the creative spirit that continues to shape its future.
Happy 250th birthday, America.

The Art Box - Episode 459 - Creating the Life You Were Meant to Live - Back with Monique

Episode 390 guest Monique Long returns to The Art Box for a deeply personal conversation about identity, creativity, and the remarkable power of believing in yourself.
While our first conversation explored Monique's extraordinary journey through Hollywood as an Emmy Award-winning costume designer, stylist, and creative visionary, this episode takes us deeper into the philosophy behind her celebrated "I AM..." series and the life experiences that continue to shape her work.
Together, we explore what it means to live authentically, embrace vulnerability, and create art that speaks to both the artist and the viewer. Monique shares how curiosity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to personal truth have guided her evolution, from designing costumes that helped tell someone else's story to creating artwork that encourages each of us to discover our own.
The conversation also wanders through creativity, intuition, mentorship, inspiration, and the artists who have influenced her along the way, including the timeless elegance and fearless innovation of Coco Chanel.
Warm, thoughtful, and filled with moments of insight, this episode reminds us that the most meaningful works of art often begin with two simple words:
I am.

The Art Box - Episode 458 - Cool Shit with Cool People: Laura Esbensen and the Art of Radical Generosity

What happens when you turn a 1960s vintage bus into an art gallery? You get Gallery RAG Las Vegas, the bold new artist-run exhibition space created by Las Vegas artist, curator, and community builder Laura Esbensen.
In this energetic conversation, Steve sits down with Laura to explore her journey from illustration and photography to sculpture, installation art, and curating projects that challenge the traditional gallery model. Together they discuss creativity, experimentation, the beauty of asking "What do I already have to share?", and Laura's belief that art is a radical act of generosity.
Laura also shares the story behind Gallery RAG, an innovative exhibition space that exists to showcase adventurous work while bringing artists and neighbors together in a welcoming community setting. From the Desert Biennial Project to Art+Everywhere, we explore how collaboration, curiosity, and generosity can transform not only art,but the communities that surround it.
If you've ever believed that great ideas don't have to live inside white walls, or that the best art often begins with a simple question and a willingness to try something new, you'll love this conversation with one of Southern Nevada's most imaginative creative voices.
Find out more: https://www.galleryraglv.com/
https://www.lauraesbensen.com
@lauraesbensen
 
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 457 - Sarah Kilgallon: Walking Toward Wonder

Artist, photographer, writer, and explorer Sarah Kilgallon joins The Art Box from her home in Portugal for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, creativity, and the winding path that leads us toward a meaningful life. Originally from Boston, Sarah followed both her heart and her imagination to Portugal, where she has found a vibrant artistic community and a renewed sense of purpose.
Together, we explore how photography became the foundation of Sarah's creative practice, why walking, whether along the Camino de Santiago, through forests, or beside the ocean, has become an essential part of her artistic process, and how movement itself inspires new ideas. Sarah shares her love of blending photography, painting, sculpture, and writing while embracing experimentation and the freedom to let creativity unfold naturally.
Our conversation also wanders into the power of community, the lessons learned from nature and animals, the influence of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own, and Sarah's exciting collaborative project, A House of One's Own, which imagines women artists building symbolic houses that together create an artistic community. We even revisit one of photography's most unforgettable images, the famous National Geographic portrait of the Afghan Girl, and explore why some photographs continue to resonate across generations.
If you've ever wondered how creativity grows through walking, noticing, questioning, and allowing yourself the freedom to begin again, you'll enjoy this inspiring conversation with an artist who reminds us that life is less about reaching a destination and more about embracing the journey.
More about Sarah at: https://sarahkilgallon.com/
Substack: https://dandelionrevolution.substack.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 456 - Leaning In With Curiosity - A Conversation with Julie Notaro

Step inside the vibrant creative world of Julie Notaro, Las Vegas mixed-media artist and founder of fraiche arts, a working art studio and gallery located inside the iconic Arts Factory in the Las Vegas Arts District (18B). Here, Julie paints, teaches, exhibits her evolving collection of fine art, and transforms her original artwork into elegant silk scarves, inviting visitors to experience creativity up close.
In this thoughtful conversation, Julie shares her remarkable artistic journey, from growing up inspired by the museums of Los Angeles and a career in advertising to discovering collage, encaustic wax, and the freedom of mixed-media expression. She recalls the life-changing moment she encountered the work of Robert Rauschenberg at the Guggenheim Museum, an experience that forever expanded her understanding of what art could become.
Together, we explore the delicate balance between chaos and stillness, the meditative nature of creating, and why the textures, silence, and vast landscapes of the Mojave Desert continue to inspire her work. Julie also discusses building a creative community through her gallery, encouraging others to embrace experimentation, authenticity, and the courage to trust their own artistic voice.
Whether you're an artist, collector, or simply curious about the creative process, Julie's story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes a single museum visit, one unexpected discovery, or one courageous experiment can quietly change the direction of an entire life.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about curiosity, memory, creativity, and discovering how curiosity transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Find Julie at: https://www.fraichearts.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 455 - Lauren Camp – Turning Ordinary Words into Extraordinary Worlds

Poet, author, and former New Mexico Poet Laureate Lauren Camp joins The Art Box for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, language, and the quiet power of paying attention. From her beginnings as a visual artist and jazz radio host to writing her acclaimed new collection Is Is Enough, Lauren explores how place, time, sound, and stillness shape her poetry. We also journey beneath the dark skies of the Grand Canyon, where her experience as Astronomer-in-Residence inspired In Old Sky, and discover why a simple word like "spigot" can become a doorway to imagination. If you've ever wondered how poetry helps us notice the world—and ourselves—this is an episode you'll want to linger with.
Find out more about Lauren at: https://www.laurencamp.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 454 - Daring to Do Dementia Differently – Meet Dangle & Dot

In this inspiring and deeply human conversation, Steve Dudrow is joined by friend, intuitive, and past Art Box guest Kaye Ashbridge as co-host for a heartfelt discussion with Nancy Nelson ("Dangle") and her partner in advocacy Kat Hartley ("Dot"), the creative forces behind dangle & dot, a social enterprise dedicated to changing the way we think about dementia, caregiving, cognitive decline, and what it means to continue living a meaningful, engaged life.
After receiving an Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2013, Nancy could have accepted the traditional narrative of fear and loss. Instead, she chose a different path—one grounded in resilience, humor, creativity, curiosity, and hope. Through poetry, public speaking, advocacy, and now dangle & dot, Nancy has spent more than a decade demonstrating that a diagnosis does not define a person and that there is still a rich and rewarding life to be lived.
Together, Steve, Kaye, Nancy, and Kat explore the power of community, the importance of "workarounds," the role creativity plays in wellbeing, and why Nancy believes that "what is to be, is up to me." The conversation highlights the unique perspective of dangle & dot, with Nancy sharing insights from the experience of living with cognitive change and Kat offering the equally important viewpoint of a care partner and advocate.
Filled with wisdom, laughter, honesty, and a refreshing dose of hope, this episode challenges the dementia tragedy narrative and replaces it with one of inclusion, possibility, purpose, and human connection. It is a conversation about adapting, learning, helping others, and finding light where there once seemed to be none.
Join us for a remarkable discussion that reminds us all that resilience comes in many forms—and that sometimes the most powerful act of courage is simply to keep moving forward with grace, gratitude, and a smile.

The Art Box - Episode 453 - The White Horse in the Frame – Photographer Will Enos

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 chased light, shadow, and the perfect image. In this thoughtful episode of The Art Box, he shares his journey from discovering black-and-white photography in high school to a successful career in advertising and marketing photography, including two decades with Eastman Kodak, and ultimately to his current passion for creating powerful fine art photographs.
Will talks about his love of wandering off the beaten path in search of images that speak to the soul, often returning from days of exploration with only a single photograph and considering that a successful adventure. Together, we explore the emotional power of black-and-white photography, the interplay of light and shadow, the importance of artistic community, and the lessons learned from a lifetime of creative work.
Along the way, Will introduces us to the fascinating concept of the "white horse" that unexpected element within a scene that transforms an ordinary photograph into something memorable. His insights on observation, patience, craftsmanship, and curiosity offer inspiration not only to photographers, but to anyone seeking to see the world more deeply.
Join us for a conversation about looking beyond the obvious, embracing creative growth, and discovering that sometimes the most meaningful images are found during a quiet walkabout before the sun rises over the horizon.
Find Will at: https://www.e2-photography.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 410 - A Ranch Musical - Meet Natalie Aramendia and Kristyn Harris

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 story to life on a working ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada. They share the challenges and triumphs of planning, filming, and now distributing a movie that celebrates the people, landscapes, traditions, and music of the rural American West.
The conversation also takes a wonderfully personal turn as Kristyn shares the excitement surrounding the birth of a new foal on her Texas ranch, while Natalie reflects on the recent arrival of her young son. Their stories reveal the deep connections between family, creativity, ranch life, and the enduring values that inspired the film.
Filled with laughter, memories, and behind-the-scenes adventures, this touching episode offers a glimpse into the passion and perseverance required to transform an idea into an award-winning motion picture.
Special thanks to the Nevada Arts Council for the grant support that makes our annual journey to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering possible, allowing us to share the stories of the artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers, and cultural traditions that make the American West such a remarkable source of inspiration.
Follow Kristyn Harris: https://kristynharris.com/
Follow A Ranch Musical: https://www.ranchmusical.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 452 – Building Confidence One Swing at a Time: Laura Buxton and the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association

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 a lifelong love of the game.
The conversation explores the exciting programs, clinics, and opportunities planned for this summer, along with the dedicated volunteers and community support that make youth golf thrive in Virgin Valley. Whether your child is picking up a club for the first time or looking to improve their game, Laura explains how the association is committed to helping every young golfer succeed both on and off the course.
Join MJ and Laura for an inspiring conversation about mentorship, youth development, healthy lifestyles, and the enduring lessons that golf can teach.
Find the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association at: https://www.vvjga.com/
For more information: Rick Smith (rixtersmith@gmail.com)