The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 344 - Mesquite Senior Games - Meet Sandy Tudor

In this special Art Box public service episode, we shine a spotlight on a beloved community cornerstone: the Mesquite Senior Games.
Founded 24 years ago to promote health and well-being through sports for seniors, the Games have grown from a local initiative into an internationally recognized event, drawing competitors from around the globe.
Host Diana Lee Rose welcomes the dynamic Sandy Tudor, Executive Director of the Mesquite Senior Games, for an inspiring conversation about the organization's impact, exciting plans for this fall, and a look ahead to 2026. From pickleball to softball to golf, it’s more than just competition, it’s about community, vitality, and celebrating life at every age.
Find out more here: https://www.mesquiteseniorgames.org/
 

The Art Box - Episode 343 - Better Side of Me - John McAndrew

Hosted by MJ Stiles | Recorded at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center
In this soulful and moving episode of The Art Box, MJ Stiles sits down with acclaimed musician and storyteller John McAndrew, a man whose music has reached audiences around the world, featured in major films, national events, and Grammy-considered albums.
With a voice as raw as it is inspiring, John shares his journey of redemption, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth through song. From the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to the heart of Nashville, from film soundtracks to Off-Broadway acclaim, John’s career has spanned genres and generations. His albums Forgiven and Souls garnered Grammy attention in the Roots Gospel and Americana categories, and his upcoming album Better Side of Me, produced by Denny Seiwell and Fernando Perdomo, promises to be his most powerful work yet.
Together, MJ and John discuss how songwriting can heal both writer and listener, and why storytelling remains at the heart of all great music. Whether you’re a blues lover, Americana fan, or simply drawn to the sound of hard-won wisdom, this episode offers a deep dive into a life made of melody, grit, and grace.
Learn more about John: https://johnmcandrew.com/
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 342 - When We Help Others, We Help Ourselves - Meet Tanoo Senethavilay

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve reconnects with muralist and musician Tanoo, a passionate artist whose mission is to bring public art and deeper meaning to overlooked spaces in downtown Las Vegas. After meeting Tanoo at the Fremont Street Spring Fair hosted by our friend Liezl, Steve knew this was a conversation worth having.
What started as a simple idea for a podcast took a profound turn when Tanoo revealed he’s also a Buddhist monk living at Watpa Temple in Las Vegas. With artist and fellow seeker Jeannie Hua joining as co-host, Steve visited the temple for a heartfelt evening filled with laughter, wisdom, and unexpected revelations—including a brief moment of confusion when Tanoo’s shaved head threw Steve off at the gate.
This episode explores Tanoo’s journey through art, spirituality, and service, from his murals on 14th Street to his reflections on Buddhism, creativity, music, and the light we all carry within. You’ll hear about the healing power of public art, the discipline of monkhood, and the ever-curious nature of the human third eye.
Stick around to the end to hear Tanoo’s original track: “Real Eyes Realize Real Lies.”(Note: We had over two hours of beautiful conversation with Tanoo—so Steve had his work cut out trimming this down to an hour. Believe us when we say, there’s more we wish we could have shared.)
Should you wish to contact Tanoo he can be reached at: tanoolv@gmail.com
Learn more about Watpa Buddhayan Meditation Center at: https://www.watpabuddhayan.org/
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 341 - Honoring Legacy – The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail

In this special episode of The Art Box, host Steve sits down with Ian Wright and Lexie Little, leaders of the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program, to discuss a powerful intersection of history, preservation, and storytelling.
Ian and Lexie share the journey behind their extensive research and collaboration to create the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail, a statewide interpretive project that shines a long-overdue spotlight on the Black soldiers who served in the American West. Their efforts culminated in the publication of the remarkable book Utah’s Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail: Legacy of Black Soldiers Who Helped Shape the American West, which documents the contributions, courage, and complexity of these soldiers’ stories.
From forgotten campsites to historic forts, and through community engagement and public history, this conversation explores how we remember, honor, and preserve the narratives that shaped our nation—one trail marker at a time.

The Art Box - Episode 340 - Crafted Confidence: The Art of Liam Gutierrez

Welcome to The Art Box! I’m your host, MJ Stiles, and today we’re recording from our Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio with someone who’s been lighting up the local art scene since his early teens.
Liam Gutierrez has been a featured artist at Juniper Outpost Boutique in Mesquite, Nevada since he was just 14 years old. Beloved by customers and deeply appreciated by shop owners Charlotte and David, Liam’s work is a staple of the boutique’s vibrant, creative atmosphere. Whether it’s intricate crochet, bold digital designs, or one-of-a-kind jewelry, Liam brings a fearless and joyful approach to everything he creates.
Now, having just graduated high school, Liam is stepping boldly into the professional art world. In his own words: “Hi! My name is Liam Gutierrez, and I'm an artist! Crochet, jewelry making, digital art—there isn't anything that's tripped me up yet! For as long as I can recall, art has been a huge part of my life and who I am. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m ready to enter the professional art world and make a name for myself!”
Today’s episode is all about creative courage, growing up with artistic passion, and what it means to turn that passion into a career. Let’s dive in!

The Art Box - Episode 339 - From Ashes, Roses Bloom - Shannon McConnell's Eaton Fire Story

Welcome to The Art Box. If you're one of our many loyal listeners tuning in from across all 50 states and 59 countries, you know that while we often focus on the arts, we occasionally wander—intentionally—into other realms of creativity, heart, and human experience. After all, we believe that nearly everything in life holds an element of art.
Today, we’re joined once again by our friend and frequent guest, Shannon McConnell, in our recording studio at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center. Shannon is no stranger to our show. As a retired engineer from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, she usually brings us stories of science, engineering, and space exploration. Now living with her husband, Scott,  in St. George, Utah, Shannon continues to enrich our STEAM programs with her insight and passion.
But today’s episode is different.
Shannon opens up about a deeply personal journey, the loss of her family home to the wildfires in Eaton, California. It's a story of survival, of families who escaped with their lives, yet left behind cherished memories and decades of life built within those walls. Through the heartache, there’s also healing, told symbolically through the roses now blooming once again in their new Utah home.
We invite you to listen closely, not just to a story of loss, but to one of resilience, reflection, and the quiet artistry of starting over.
Thank you Shannon and Scott.
The episode picture was taken by Shannon and Scotts son of their front door framing the city of Los Angeles skyline.

The Art Box - Episode 338 - Color, Courage, and Canvas: Melissa Osburg’s Journey into Art and Healing

In this vibrant episode of The Art Box, MJ sits down with her friend and fellow creative spirit, Melissa Osburg, for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation about art, healing, and finding joy through color. A self-taught abstract and mixed media artist originally from New Orleans and now based in Texas, Melissa shares how painting became a form of therapy during a challenging time in her life.
Since 2016, Melissa has embraced art not just as an outlet, but as a powerful emotional language, one that allows her to translate anxiety, imagination, and joy into bold, hand-painted works full of life. She opens up about her love of bright, fearless color, and how her work in acrylic, watercolor, oil, and mixed media helps her connect with others through pure visual energy.
Together, MJ and Melissa explore the emotional honesty of abstraction, the transformative power of creativity, and how art can become a guiding light, both for the artist and those who experience it.
Melissa's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MosburgartStudio?ref=related&from_page=listing&listing_id=1823865807&dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
Melissa is on Instagram @mosburgart
 

The Art Box - Episode 337 - Ara & Juan: Listening to the Dough, Living the Flavor

In this heartwarming episode, Steve had the pleasure of sitting down with his friends, and the dynamic brother-sister duo, Ara and Juan Fernanda, at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio. Together, they share the story behind Fat Dough Bakery, where baking is more than a craft, it’s a sensory experience and a service-driven passion.
We journey back to their childhood memories of the aromas and flavors from their hometown bakeries in Mexico and explore how those early impressions shaped their philosophy of baking today. Juan and Ara describe how interpreting a recipe involves more than just measurements, it's about listening, smelling, feeling, and connecting with the dough as it comes to life.
Juan also shares his love for music and how rhythm and creativity flow from his instruments to his ingredients, while Ara reveals her incredible gift for remembering each customer’s favorites, helping guide them to their next culinary delight. Steve also brings up their seamless ability to shift between Spanish and English, an everyday superpower in both kitchen and community.
You can also catch Ara live most mornings on Fat Dough Facebook, where she brings energy and charm to daily updates about what’s fresh at Fat Dough, from pastries and soups to lunch specials.
This episode is filled with warmth, laughter, and the kind of thoughtful storytelling that makes you want to run out for a fresh bolillo and say hello to your local baker. Don’t miss this conversation with two truly sweet humans.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 336 - Meet Emsley's Assistant - Candace Garlock: Layers of Story, Heart, and Ink

Steve was deeply honored to sit down with one of his art heroes, Reno-based artist and professor Candace Garlock, whose generous spirit and boundless creativity make her not only an extraordinary talent, but also one of the kindest souls in the art world.
Candace’s richly layered printmaking and mixed media work delves into memory, identity, and the emotional threads that connect us all. In this conversation, she shares her journey as both an artist and educator, offering thoughtful insights into her creative process, the symbolism in her work, and the personal stories woven into each piece.
From intricate textile patterns to her passionate commitment to teaching at Truckee Meadows Community College, Candace brings depth, intention, and heart to everything she does. We also explore her collaborative work on The Honeycomb project, and how community plays a vital role in her artistic practice.
Whether you’re an art lover, fellow printmaker, or simply curious about the magic of meaningful visual, story telling, this episode is a generous window into the mind and heart of an artist who truly shines.
Find Candace on the web: https://candacenicolgarlock.com/
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 335 - From Wild Grasses to Cast Away: A Literary Ride with Kase Johnstun

In this episode of The Art Box, we welcome back Utah author and longtime friend Kase Johnstun to talk about his powerful new book Cast Away. Co-hosted by published author and Art Box regular Sandi Randelle, the conversation dives deep into the heart of Kase’s storytelling—from the raw truths of Cast Away to the lyrical beauty of his earlier novel Let the Wild Grasses Grow (a personal favorite of Steve’s).
Sandi and Kase spark some fascinating literary insights, discussing craft, theme, and the emotional terrain writers navigate. And yes, we veer off the tracks a bit to explore AI, roller coasters, and everything in between. Buckle up for a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring ride through the world of words (and the occasional loop-de-loop).
We love Torrey House Press and you can find Kase's work there: https://www.torreyhouse.org/kase-johnstun  or on Amazon.
Kase mentioned he teaches writing and you can find out more at: https://lighthousewriters.org/users/kase-johnstun
Note: His next class "Novel 101" starts on July 7th, you have time to enroll. 
I would be remiss if I did not mention that he hosts a podcast or two LITerally and Bourbon, Beer and BOOKS you can find them on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEeGYqH32clCf4D13VGU8-bHZcdcfnMdW
And yes our own Sandi's amazing novels can be found here: Sandi Randelle novels. 
Happy Independence Day 2025 to our loyal listeners.