The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 306 - Stories That Shape Us: A Conversation with Ana Pacheco

"Stories That Shape Us: A Conversation with Ana Pacheco"
In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with celebrated Santa Fe historian and author Ana Pacheco, whose deep knowledge of New Mexico’s cultural roots brings the past vividly to life. As the former Santa Fe City Historian and founder of La Herencia magazine, Ana has dedicated her career to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of Hispano history, traditions, and spirituality in the Southwest.
We explore the inspiration behind her books, including A History of Spirituality in Santa Fe and Los Comanches: The Horse People, and dive into the power of storytelling in preserving identity across generations. Ana shares insights into New Mexico’s complex past, the influence of women in shaping community, and the importance of honoring oral histories in a fast-changing world.
Join us for a thoughtful journey through time with a woman whose voice helps keep the soul of Santa Fe alive.
Visit History in Santa Fe web site.
Purchase Ana's Books on Amazon

The Art Box - Episode 305 - Apocalyptic Dogs, Data Privacy, and the Importance of a Really Good Dare: Meet Ben Malisow

Apocalyptic Dogs, Data Privacy, and the Importance of a Really Good Dare: Meet Ben Malisow
Sandi Randelle hosts this episode featuring technical writer, author, and self-proclaimed lazy gadabout Ben Malisow.  Join them for an interesting and occasionally humorous conversation about technical versus creative writing, why Las Vegas may actually be the center of the universe, and the lasting value of a really good writers group.

The Art Box - Episode 304 - "The Little Things" - Tiffany & Yori Ludvigson

What sparked this episode was a mural project my friend Tyler mentioned, one taking shape in the Special Education classroom at Virgin Valley High School. I realized, wait a minute, one of those teachers brings her class to the STEAM Center every week to dive into science and tech! A few emails later, Tiffany Ludvigson was kind enough to join us in the Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio to talk about her incredible work in special education.
As it turns out, her husband Yori, also a powerhouse in our community, is a business teacher, athletic director at VVHS, and a fellow board member at Mesquite Works. Oh, and as if that weren’t enough, the two of them also run a high volume BBQ business. When do they sleep? That’s still a mystery.
So sit back and enjoy the inspiring story of two creative, committed leaders making a real difference in our valley and the world.
If you would be interested in helping to paint the mural in Tiffany's classroom drop her an email: ludvit@nv.ccsd.net
The super fun Joel Hansen video episode of him devouring Big Luds "Super Sasquatch" can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5NmKq6_VMc
To learn more about the family BBQ Business: https://bigludsbbq.com/food-truck/
 
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 303 - Nature Is So Cool - Meet DeAnna Beachley.

Melissa Eligul graciously joined Steve as guest co-host for a vibrant and wide-ranging conversation with the remarkable DeAnna Beachley, bird watcher, hiker, teacher, historian, artist, poet, and essayist. This lively episode offers a fresh wave of inspiration as we explore creativity, connection to place, and the power of words. DeAnna’s poetry and essays have appeared in an impressive array of publications, including Red Rock Review, Sandstone & Silver, The Nature of Our Times, Thimble, Slant, Blue Earth Review, Gyroscope, Liminal Spaces, Remington Review, Anatomy of an Essay, Awakenings: Stories of Bodies and Consciousness, and Wild Roof Journal.
Her debut chapbook, The Long View, is available now from Kelsay Books: https://kelsaybooks.com/products/the-long-view.
DeAnna mentioned UK writer Robert Macfarlane and you can find his books by following this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-Macfarlane/author/B001IOFAN4?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5cd264c8-fc17-492a-941f-84c29b5d11df
 
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 302 - "Murals, Pens, Paper and Curating Great Art" - Meet Dr. Erika G. Abad

In this compelling episode of The Art Box, we’re joined by Erika G. Abad; writer, scholar, educator, and unapologetic storyteller. Known for her work in Latinx studies, queer feminist theory, and community-driven narratives, Dr. Abad shares how she uses storytelling as a tool for healing, resistance, and cultural preservation.
We explore how her personal history, academic journey, and creative work intersect to amplify underrepresented voices. From her reflections on teaching at Nevada State University to curating conversations around identity, Dr. Abad reminds us that storytelling isn't just art, it’s activism.
Whether you’re an artist, educator, or lifelong learner, Dr. Abad’s insights will challenge and inspire you to lean into your own narrative power.
This episode will leave you inspired to view your work—and the world—through a more inclusive and curious lens.
Please excuse as we had a bit of a fuzzy phone connection, Erika's brilliance however fuzzy shines through.
You can learn more about their show "Two Cultures, One Family - Building Family, Finding Home" curated at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at University of Nevada Las Vegas via this link: https://issuu.com/unlvmuseum/docs/twoculturesonefamily
I might also suggest dropping in on the "The Art People" podcast hosted by Justin Favela to learn more about Erika:. https://artpeoplepod.libsyn.com/2021/02
 

The Art Box - Episode 301.1 - Behind the Curtain: The Cast & Crew of Clowns with Guns

Episode 301.1 – Behind the Curtain: The Cast of Clowns with Guns
In this follow-up episode, join the cast and crew of Clowns with Guns as they gather around the mics at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center to reflect on their journey—rehearsals, challenges, laughter, and the powerful performance that followed.
What starts as a casual chat quickly turns into a lively, heartfelt conversation among friends who clearly loved bringing this one-act play to life. Fair warning: they promised Steve a 20-minute episode… and then just couldn’t stop sharing. (No regrets.)
This is a joyful, unscripted ride full of behind-the-scenes stories, genuine camaraderie, and plenty of laughter. Tune in and enjoy this rollicking, unfiltered conversation with a truly talented crew.

Episode 301 - Clowns with Guns - Meet the Director, Cast and Crew

Episode 301: Clowns with Guns – A Conversation with the Cast and Director
Clowns with Guns (A Vaudeville)—written by Christopher Evans and first released around 2016, is a bold, award-winning one-act that takes on the topic of school violence through satire, shock, and emotional depth.
This spring, the Virgin Valley High School drama club, under the direction of Wende Killinger, brought the play to life in a performance that earned well-deserved recognition and left audiences stunned. Your host, Steve, attended the production at the Mesquite Community Theatre and experienced a full range of emotions, from disbelief to heartbreak to awe.
In this episode, Wende and her talented cast and crew join us to share the journey behind this powerful play: the challenges, the conversations, and the courage it took to stage something so raw and relevant.
🎭 Don’t miss our follow-up in Episode 301.1, where we present an unedited roundtable with the cast and crew reflecting on what it meant to bring Clowns with Guns to the stage.

The Art Box - Episode 300 - Racing Crows: Meet Lucas Marcus

I had the distinct pleasure of hosting author Lucas Marcus for a very special milestone—our 300th podcast episode—recorded right here at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio. Lucas, the brilliant mind behind Racing Crows, joined us for a conversation that was as thought-provoking as it was entertaining. His novel, a captivating (and possibly not entirely fictional?) journey, is rich with uncanny intersections between the human experience and the mysterious, watchful world of crows. It’s a story that lingers—just like the shadow of a raven overhead.
You can purchase Racing Crows at the Art Box by Liezl in Las Vegas Container Park or at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Racing-Crows-Lucas-Marc/dp/0960125108
 

The Art Box - Episode 299 - Public-Private Partnerships for Community Good

Back in 2020, the world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Uncertainty was everywhere, public anxiety ran high, health guidelines shifted daily, and vaccines, while a beacon of hope, were hard to access, especially in remote towns like Mesquite. But in the face of chaos, our small-town heroes rose to the challenge. Through a remarkable public-private partnership, they pulled off an extraordinary feat: getting our community vaccinated. Today at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio, I sat down with Mesquite Fire & Rescue Chief Jayson Andrus and Eureka Community Initiative Director Gerri Chasko to revisit that effort. We talked about how it all came together, the many hands involved, the challenges they faced, and how those partnerships continue to strengthen our town five years later.
Slip on the headphones, sit back and enjoy two of our local heroes recount the best of Mesquite, Nevada.
 

The Art Box - Episode 298 - Public Service Episode "Mesquite Grow" with George Gault

🎙️ Public Service Spotlight: Mesquite Grow with George Gault
In this special Public Service episode, George Gault stopped by the Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio to share exciting news about the Grow Mesquite business initiative. Backed by a recent Nevada Main Street grant, this program is designed to support local entrepreneurs in launching and expanding their businesses right here in the valley.
In partnership with the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Grow Mesquite offers free learning and mentorship opportunities for current business owners, managers, and anyone considering starting a business.
👉 Interested? Sign up here for this FREE program:Register Now
📅 You're invited!Join us on April 9 at 10:30 AM at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center (312 W. Mesquite Blvd, Suite #116) for a FREE networking event with representatives from Southern Nevada business assistance organizations.
🎧 Midway through our chat, we also turned our attention to the Mesquite Works STEAM Center itself. Drop by and connect with Nikki Meador to learn more about how STEAM can support your workforce development, youth programs, and employee training in STEM fields—all completely free!