The Art Box

In our ninth episode of The Art Box recorded at the Tuscarora Pottery School thanks in part to a grant by the Nevada Arts Council, we chat with Lydia Faust, a graduating Eagle High School senior with a passion for pottery and a strong sense of community. Lydia attended the spring session at the Tuscarora Pottery School, where she stood out not only for her dedication at the wheel but also for being the last to leave the kiln firings and among the first to roll up her sleeves for clean-up duty.
A future Boise State University student, planning on a double major, Lydia shares how her time in Tuscarora deepened her appreciation for the creative process, and how the mentorship of her high school art teacher, Julie Shelton, also attending the session, has shaped her artistic path. It’s a conversation about learning, showing up, and the quiet power of commitment in a space where clay, community, and personal growth are deeply entwined.
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In our eighth episode of The Art Box recorded at the Tuscarora Pottery School thanks in part to a grant by the Nevada Arts Council, we chat with Evan Besoushke, a recently graduated high school student with a creative spirit and a scientific mind. Before heading off to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah, Evan chose to spend part of his spring at the Tuscarora Pottery School, diving hands-first into the world of clay and artistic experimentation.
We talk about what drew him to pottery, what it felt like to be the youngest member of the workshop, and how this experience has helped shape his perspective on design, structure, and creativity. Whether building with clay or someday with concrete and steel, Evan is already finding ways to bridge the practical with the artistic. It’s a conversation about curiosity, transitions, and the value of stepping into a creative space, especially when you’re about to build a future from the ground up.

In our seventh episode of The Art Box recorded at the Tuscarora Pottery School thanks in part to a grant by the Nevada Arts Council, we sit down with Casey Gurr, one of the spring session instructors at the Tuscarora Pottery School, whose passion for art and education runs deep. A former high school art teacher and current leader at Catalyst Arts Collaborative in Boise, Idaho, Casey brings a thoughtful, community-centered approach to his work, whether he’s at the wheel or building creative networks back home.
We talk about what it means to teach in a place like Tuscarora, where landscape and legacy shape every studio moment. Casey shares his perspective on balancing personal artistry with mentorship, and how collaborative spaces like Catalyst are helping sustain and uplift the next generation of artists. It’s a rich conversation about creativity, teaching, and the quiet magic that happens when artists gather in remote places with open minds and muddy hands.

In this episode our sixth during our Tuscarora trip funded by Nevada Arts Council, we take a lighter, more personal turn as I sit down with Daejah, who joined us at the Tuscarora Pottery School not as a student, but as part of the extended creative family. Her father, Casey, was one of the instructors during the week, and Daejah came along for the ride, bringing with her a sense of calm curiosity and the easy energy of summer.
She was joined by her best friend Aileen, and while neither took to the wheel, they made the most of their desert retreat: swimming, exploring, chatting with artists, and simply enjoying the rhythm of life in Tuscarora. In this relaxed conversation, we talk about what it’s like to be surrounded by working artists, the quiet charm of the place, and how creative spaces can feel just as welcoming—even when you’re not the one covered in clay.

In the fifth episode of our Tuscarora Pottery School series, made possible in part by a generous grant from the Nevada Arts Council, we sit down with Julie Shelton, a dedicated art teacher from Boise, Idaho. Julie’s time at Tuscarora was both a personal creative retreat and a professional development opportunity. As she reconnected with her own artistic practice, she also explored new techniques and ideas to take back to her classroom and share with her students. It’s a heartfelt conversation about the dual role of being both artist and educator, and the power of stepping away to return renewed.
Surrounded by the quiet beauty of Nevada’s high desert, Julie found fresh energy in the studio, new approaches to clay, and a renewed sense of purpose. Our conversation touches on the power of lifelong learning, the balancing act between teaching and creating, and the magic that happens when artists step into unfamiliar spaces to grow. It’s a reflection on mentorship, exploration, and the threads that connect art, education, and community.

In the fourth episode of our special series recorded at the Tuscarora Pottery School, made possible in part by generous support from the Nevada Arts Council, we’re honored to sit down with Cody Breeze Thomas, President of the school and a passionate advocate for the arts. As a thoughtful steward of this storied Nevada institution, Cody shares his perspective on what makes Tuscarora more than just a pottery school. It’s a place of creative renewal, deep community, and quiet transformation, where clay, history, and human connection converge in the high desert.
Our conversation touches on the school’s enduring mission, its deep roots in the high desert, and the exciting vision Cody and the board are shaping for its future. Whether you're a potter, an artist, or simply someone drawn to meaningful places, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stewardship, storytelling, and spirit that keep Tuscarora’s kilns burning and its creative heart alive.

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with Gianna Palazzdo, an architecture student at the University of Idaho and a former high school art student of Jerry Hendershot. Gianna returned to her creative roots by joining the summer session at the Tuscarora Pottery School, seeking a break from her rigorous academic life and a reconnection with the simple joy of working with clay. Surrounded by the quiet beauty of Nevada’s high desert, she shares how pottery provides both a creative outlet and a grounding contrast to the precision of architectural design.
Tune in as we chat about the rhythm of rural life, the pull of the pottery wheel, and the importance of making space for art in the midst of a demanding education. Gianna’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to return to what you love.
Thank you to Nevada Arts Council for funding this trip.

I had the true pleasure of meeting Vicie Mixer during my time at the Tuscarora Pottery School, where she played the role of indispensable assistant to instructor Jerry Hendershot, though "assistant" hardly captures the magic she brings. From preparing delicious meals to helping students center their clay, from spinning stories to offering quiet encouragement, Vicie was everywhere at once, always adding something special to the experience. She even attempted to teach me how to make a clay whistle (which, I must confess, ended in a spectacularly failed attempt, but that’s on me, not her!). I was grateful she took a few moments to sit down for a short and joyful chat.
Vicie Mixer is a respected ceramic artist and teacher with deep roots in the Tuscarora Pottery School community. Known for her skill in wheel-throwing and raku techniques, she has taught alongside Jerry during numerous summer sessions, earning a reputation among students as a patient, generous, and inspiring presence. Vicie now lives part-time in Tuscarora, where she continues to enrich the town’s seasonal art scene with her humor, knowledge, and kindness. Her ongoing involvement reflects the heart of Tuscarora’s legacy, a place where clay, creativity, and community come together under big desert skies. For anyone drawn to the spirit of pottery, Vicie’s presence is a treasure.
Thank you Nevada Arts Council for funding.

Join Steve for a special series of podcast episodes from the Tuscarora Pottery School, made possible in part by a generous grant from the Nevada Arts Council. We kick off the series with a conversation recorded in the cozy library of the historic Zweifel Rooming House, where Steve sits down with this session’s lead instructor, Jerry Hendershot, to talk clay, community, and the creative spark found in the high desert of Nevada. Tune in for the 14 to 17 Tuscarora episodes that will follow. 
In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with ceramic artist and educator Jerry Hendershot, who led the late May session at the Tuscarora Pottery School, a creative retreat nestled in the high desert of Nevada. Jerry shares his experience guiding students through the rhythms of the clay, the inspiration found in the remote Tuscarora landscape, and the enduring legacy of Dennis and Julie Parks.
From the heat of the kiln to the quiet magic of community dinners and shared studio space, our conversation explores what makes Tuscarora such a powerful space for artistic growth. Jerry reflects on his teaching philosophy, the technical approaches explored during the workshop, and how the land itself becomes part of the creative process. Whether you're a longtime potter or simply curious about the soul of handmade craft, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into one of America’s most unique and storied pottery schools.

Episode 311 of The Art Box brings a burst of style and creativity with our friend and guest Mary Jane Stiles, or as her many fans know her, MJ. She’s a jewelry artist, hairdresser, and now the social media powerhouse behind Juniper Outpost Boutique in Mesquite, Nevada. Whether she’s crafting bold statement pieces or lighting up local feeds with her signature flair, MJ knows how to turn everyday moments into something beautiful.
Tune in as we chat with MJ about her creative evolution, her love for community-driven art and fashion, and what it takes to stay fresh and inspired in today’s fast-moving social media world. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn — and you just might leave wanting to visit Juniper Outpost yourself!
Exciting news! MJ is joining The Art Box host team, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. She’ll be bringing her creative energy and fresh perspective as she leads conversations with inspiring artists from around the world. Welcome aboard, Mary Jane — we’re so glad to have you with us!