The Art Box

The Art Box 'For The Theatre" - Episode 221 - Shelvis is In the Building - DJ Van Dyke

One of our Valley's beloved entertainers, DJ Van Dyke, is gearing up for another sellout performance at the Mesquite Theatre. This time, she's bringing her talented friend Shelvis to the stage for an electrifying show on September 14.
Join us as Suzie White hosts a lively conversation with DJ, and who knows—Shelvis might just make a surprise appearance!
Get your tickets by clicking here. 

The Art Box - Episode 220 - Fat Dough - The Art of Loving our Community - With Junior Baeza

Steve was thrilled when our good friend Jr. Baeza walked into our Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio the other day. Jr. was there to chat about the exciting new bakery he and his wonderful wife Sabra are opening right here in Mesquite. Conversations with Jr. always flow effortlessly, and we found ourselves diving into discussions about, bread, soup, pies, stacked sandwiches, and the other incredible small businesses that make our town special.
So, sit back and get the inside scoop on Mesquite's newest gem, Fat Dough, located at 12 W #114 Mesquite Blvd.

The Art Box - Episode 219 - Arts and Accessibility Initiative - Meet Samuel Foulkes

Not to brag but I feel this is one of the most consequential podcasts you will listen to this year. Please take forty-five minutes to learn about the good work Clovernook does to impact disabilities worldwide. 
Our guest Samuel Foulkes works at Clovernook Center for the Blind as the Director of Braille Production & Accessible Innovation. Clovernook is located in Cincinnati OH, and is the largest producer of braille in the world (30 million pages printed and distributed each year). Most of their production work is federal, producing books and magazines for the Library of Congress in alternate formats.
Much of his work is at the intersection of art & disability – Samuel is the founder of Clovernook’s Arts & Accessibility Initiative, which provides free accessible material and consulting to cultural institutions all around the US – from large institutions like The Met & Carnegie Hall, to individual artists and small local organizations.  This kind of work includes the provision of braille, audio, audio description, tactile graphics, 3D design/scanning/printing, and much more! All of our solutions are inclusively designed – most of our Arts team are blind or low vision.
The picture Samuel provided is symbolic of the importance of 3D printing to their mission and is a 3D replica of Samuel's head. 
Click here to find out more about Clovernook.
If you would like to donate click here.
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 218 - Bricks for the Brave

Suzie welcomes Mesquite, Nevada Fire Chief Jayson Andrus and Maryanne Mainero to the Mesquite Works STEAM Center broadcast studio to talk about their fundraiser for the "Never Forgotten" statue at the new Fire station #1. 
Mesquite Fire Rescue is thrilled to launch the "Bricks for the Brave" Fundraiser to place the "Never Forgotten" statue in front of our new fire station. This statue will serve as a lasting tribute to the bravery and dedication of our firefighters. Your support will make this vision a reality. Every donation counts!
Link to order your brick
https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online-orders/mfr/

The Art Box - Episode 217 - "Tumble Weed Gulch" Meet John Tomasello

Last month, your Art Box hosts attended a delightful variety show in Mesquite, where they were thoroughly entertained by John Tomasello and his LV Puppets troupe. Inspired by their performance, Suzie decided an interview was a must. She headed to Vegas and recorded this fantastic episode. Enjoy!
Find out more about then by clicking here.
or email John: lvpuppets@gmail.com

The Art Box - Episode 216 - July 2024 Best in Show - Meet Shirley Smith

Floyd Johnson continues with his "Best in Show" Art Box series as he sits down with Shirley Smith to talk about her award winning entry in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery "Shadow and Light" exhibition. Kick back and enjoy.
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 210 - "Nevada Wildlife is in Good Hands" - Meet Michelle Lopez and Kaesee Bourne

The Art Box is thrilled to welcome Michelle Lopez and Kaesee Bourne from the Nevada Department of Wildlife to our podcast. With diverse educational backgrounds in biology, STEM education, environmental studies, ecology, evolutionary studies, psychology, and neuroscience, they bring a unique perspective on protecting Nevada's wildlife. So, put on your headphones, grab a water bottle, and enjoy this informative and entertaining episode!
Thank you Michelle and Kaesee for all you do.

The Art Box - Episode 211 - "Naturally Drawn to Creating" - Meet Loïs Levy

We are incredibly proud to welcome Loïs Levy to The Art Box, our first international guest and the talented creator of our much-celebrated opening and closing music. Loïs graciously navigated the time difference between Munich, Germany, and Mesquite, Nevada, joining our Zoom call after getting his daughter to bed at 9 PM his time, which was noon for us.
Loïs, a French producer born in 1985, has been creating music for the past two decades. Originally from France, he now calls Munich, Germany home. Renowned for his commitment to crafting diverse and unique-sounding music, Loïs seamlessly transitions between genres, from alternative rock to experimental electronica, EDM, and pop. His collaborations with fellow artists have been instrumental in shaping the sonic identity of each project, adding depth and dimension to every composition while also providing valuable learning experiences. In his latest venture, the “Kit Pristine” project, Loïs channels his energy into the realm of pop music. His goal is to curate a platform for inspiring indie vocalists, melding their voices with his musical creations to produce fresh, innovative sounds.
You can find the Kit Pristine Project by clicking here.

The Art Box - Episode 215 - "Fun at the New Pottery Studio" - Meet the Potters

After months of planning, the Virgin Valley Artists' Association is excited to announce their move into the new Pottery Studio adjacent to the Mesquite Fine Art Center at 15 West Mesquite Blvd, in Mesquite, Nevada. Kathleen Birkholz, Diane Alexanian, and Tammy Weese, the dynamic trio leading the Potters move tribe, joined us at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center Art Box studio. They shared updates on the move, exciting new programs they'll offer, challenges they're facing, and, of course, plenty of laughs as they expressed their passion for pottery. After hosting this short episode, I’m ready to get my hands dirty and engage in some mud-slinging this fall. Join me.
Click here for the Virgin Valley Pottery Facebook Group Page
Virgin Valley Artists Association Web Page

The Art Box - Episode 209 - "Compassion Towards Other Beings and Ourselves" - Meet Morrigan Devito

Morrigan Devito is a dedicated environmental advocate and passionate educator with the Red Rock Audubon Society in Las Vegas. With a background in wildlife biology and conservation, Morrigan has devoted her career to studying and protecting avian species in the Nevada desert. Her work involves leading birdwatching tours, conducting ecological research, and organizing community outreach programs to promote awareness of local bird habitats. In addition to her scientific endeavors, Morrigan is an accomplished artist and nature journaler, capturing the beauty of the natural world through her detailed illustrations and writings. Known for her enthusiasm and expertise, Morrigan inspires others to appreciate and preserve the natural beauty of the region’s birdlife.