The Art Box

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.

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
 

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.
 

🎙️ 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!

In this episode of The Art Box, Sandi and I are joined by award-winning historical fiction author Amanda Skenandore, who came to us through a warm recommendation from our past guest, Nancy Alain. Amanda called in for a rich and engaging conversation about her journey as a writer, her passion for uncovering overlooked moments in history, and how she brings the past to life through compelling characters and vivid storytelling. From her research process to the emotional layers in her work, Amanda offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of historical fiction.
You can find Amanda's books at Amazon and all good bookstores, including our favorite The Writer's Block located at 519 S 6th St Ste 100, Las Vegas, NV 89101. 
We’re excited to welcome Mesquite resident and accomplished author Sandi Randelle as co-host for The Art Box’s literary podcast episodes. With her keen insight into the creative process, as well as her experience in writing and publishing, Sandi will bring a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes perspective to our conversations with authors and storytellers. We’re thrilled to have her voice and expertise on the mic! You can find Sandi's books here.

Join us for a magical conversation on creativity with our very own Floyd Johnson and this month’s Naturally Beautiful exhibition winner, Kaylealayah Whiterose Whitefeather.
Personally, I’m in heaven whenever these two inspiring souls come together to share their artistic journeys, it truly makes my heart sing.
We recorded this episode just after the monthly reception in Classroom B of the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. You’ll hear some lively background sounds as people came and went, and the open space added its own ambiance to the discussion.
The Naturally Beautiful exhibition continues until March 28, so please find you way to the Mesquite Fine Arts Center located at 15 W. Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada 89027.
As a special bonus, the episode begins with Whiterose reading her Artist Profile, which will be featured during her Artist of the Month residency this summer. Be sure to visit the VVAA website for details: mesquitefineartscenter.com
There’s no doubt about it, The Art Box loves Whiterose and Floyd, and it doesn’t get any better than hearing them talk about what art means to them.
For you enjoyment Whiterose recited her Artist Statement and we include the text of this below. Enjoy.
Why do I paint, and have kept at it for the past 4 years? Well, painting is a journey of the soul, akin to a river carving its path through the rugged terrain of existence. Each stroke of the brush becomes a pulse, a heartbeat echoing the artist's innermost thoughts and feelings. Just as a river flows from the depths of the mountains, so too does the artist delve into the caverns of their soul, unearthing the treasures of emotion and memory. The canvas stands as a blank horizon, waiting patiently for the colors to cascade like waterfalls, transforming the stark surface into a vibrant landscape of dreams and fears. In this sacred act, time dissolves, and the artist becomes both the creator and the vessel, channeling the essence of their spirit into a tangible form.
 
As the brush dances across the canvas, it weaves a tapestry of light and shadow. Each color is a note in a symphony, resonating with the depth of the artist's soul, while the canvas serves as an open field where emotions run wild like wildflowers in spring. The act of painting is a dialogue with the universe, where the artist converses with their own heart and, in turn, invites the viewer into this intimate exchange. The strokes may be bold and assertive, or soft and whispering; they speak of courage and vulnerability, capturing the essence of what it means to be alive. In this sacred communion, the artist becomes a storyteller, translating the silent language of the soul into a visual narrative that transcends the barriers of time and space.
 
Ultimately, the finished painting stands as a testament to the artist's journey, a mirror reflecting the countless aspects of the human experience. It invites the observer to embark on their own odyssey, to explore the emotions that lie beneath the surface. Each glance at the canvas reveals new layers, hidden depths, and uncharted territories of feeling, as if the artwork is a living entity, breathing and evolving with every viewing. In this profound exchange, the artist's soul reaches out, intertwining with the viewer's own, forging connections that span generations. The journey of painting, then, is not merely the creation of art but a pilgrimage of the heart, a celebration of life’s complexities, where every brushstroke is a step toward understanding the vast, intricate tapestry of existence. 

Join us for a special episode featuring Ms. Senior Mesquite Director Becky Boyd, reigning Ms. Senior Mesquite Bronzie Dabney, and the 2025 contestants: Angela Lockwood, Deborah Lancman, Irene Johnson, and Marie Alvey.
Becky takes us through the history and significance of this inspiring community event, sharing why it continues to be a cherished tradition. Then, we turn the spotlight on this year’s contestants as they open up about their journeys to Mesquite, their passions, talents, and what this pageant means to them.
This is a fun, uplifting conversation with an incredible group of women, each with a story to tell. Don't miss this celebration of grace, wisdom, and the power of embracing new experiences at any stage of life!
The 2025 Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant is on April 19 at the Virgin Valley High School Theatre (820 Valley View Drive, Mesquite, NV 89027). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from any of the contestants. 

It was an absolute joy to welcome actress Nichelle Thornton to our Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio. Fresh off her starring role as Anne Shirley in Mesquite Community Theatre’s production of Anne of Green Gables, Nichelle brought energy, heart, and fascinating behind-the-scenes insights to our podcast.
Join us for a conversation with this talented rising star, as she shares her journey, passion for storytelling, and what’s next on her path to stardom!
More on Nichelle and the Mesquite Community Theatre: https://mvprogress.com/2025/02/25/top-notch-theater-at-mct/
 

Last Christmas, Steve ran into his friend and Rotary member, Linda Gault, at Smith's, where she and her Interact Club group were ringing the bell for The Salvation Army. A quick chat, a dollar in the bucket, and soon we were scheduling a podcast episode.
Linda oversees the Interact Club at Beaver Dam Jr./Sr. High School, a small-town school on the north-western corner of the Arizona Strip. Over the course of a couple of days, we recorded at the high school—so you’ll hear the lively sounds of campus life in the background.
In this episode, you’ll meet five incredible Interact Club members as they share their experiences and the impact their club has on the community.
Click here for information on The Rotary Club of Mesquite: https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVRotary
 
 

Linda and Chris recently sat down in our Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio with the multifaceted creative force, Edie Dotan. A visionary artist, Edie’s work is a celebration of interconnectedness, nature, and the cosmos, brought to life through vibrant colors and imaginative, heart-centered imagery. Her paintings not only uplift but also evoke a sense of serenity and wonder. Constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft, she experiments with acrylics and mixed media, allowing her artistic expression to evolve organically.
So grab a glass of orange juice, slip on your headphones, and immerse yourself in this soulful and inspiring conversation.
Find out more about Edie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qQ44HGhVJM
Edie's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568297762272#
Edie's web site: http://wherewestarted.org