The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 443 - Where Stories Gather: Meet Marissa Mills of Luminary Books

Nestled in the heart of Gardnerville, Nevada, Luminary Books is much more than a bookstore, it is a community gathering place where creativity, curiosity, and connection thrive. In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with owner Marissa Mills, an artist, dance instructor, passionate reader, and champion of all things creative.
Marissa shares the story behind one of Steve's favorite independent bookstores, her love of literature and the arts, and the many imaginative events she creates, from book discussions and author visits to painting experiences that bring people together. Along the way, they explore the importance of community spaces, lifelong learning, and why bookstores remain magical places where new ideas and friendships begin.
Whether you're a reader, artist, dancer, or simply someone who loves discovering creative people doing extraordinary things, this conversation is sure to inspire.
Because sometimes the best stories aren't just found on the shelves—they're found in the people who bring those shelves to life.
Visit and shop online at: https://bookshop.org/shop/luminarybooks
 

The Art Box - Episode 442 - The Eye of Rie - Meet Rielynn

Step back in time with us as we visit Gardnerville, Nevada, and meet Rielynn, the creative force behind Eye of Rie Tintype Photography. In an age of smartphones and instant images, Rielynn has embraced one of photography's oldest and most fascinating processes, creating stunning tintype portraits that connect modern subjects with the rich history of the photographic arts.
In this episode, we explore Rielynn's journey into historic photography, the challenges and rewards of working with nineteenth-century techniques, and why people are increasingly drawn to handcrafted images in our digital world. We discuss chemistry, creativity, patience, and the magic that happens when art, history, and storytelling come together in a single photograph.
Whether you're a photographer, history buff, artist, or simply curious about unique creative paths, you'll enjoy this conversation about preserving the past while creating meaningful art in the present. Join us as we discover why sometimes the oldest technology can still produce the most memorable images.
You can find EyeofRie at 1452 U.S. Hwy 395 N. #B Gardnerville, NV 89410. 775-977-1000
Recorded in Gardnerville, Nevada through the generous support of the Nevada Arts Council

The Art Box - Episode 441 - Speak Your Ideas to the Universe - Meet Jen Tune

Recorded in Gardnerville, Nevada, Steve sits down with Jen Tune, Executive Director of Main Street Gardnerville, for a conversation about the power of creativity, collaboration, and community vision in rural Nevada.
Jen shares how Main Street Gardnerville works to support local businesses, strengthen economic development, celebrate the arts, and create a vibrant sense of place for residents and visitors alike. From revitalization efforts to community events, she discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with helping a small rural town thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The conversation explores how curiosity fuels innovation, why the arts play a critical role in community development, and how creative thinking can spark new ideas that move a town forward. Jen also reflects on the importance of building connections, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities that encourage people to invest their talents and energy locally.
Whether you're interested in rural development, the arts, entrepreneurship, or simply the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to strengthen their communities, you'll enjoy this inspiring discussion from the heart of Nevada.
Join us as we explore how one creative leader is helping Gardnerville write its next chapter—one idea, one partnership, and one project at a time.

The Art Box - Episode 440 – Between Science and Poetry – The Words and Worlds of Rayann Hijazi

Poet, scholar, and proud Arab American Rayann Hijazi joins The Art Box Podcast to discuss the powerful intersection of poetry, culture, and science. A former Poetry Out Loud national competitor and current Microbiology and Immunology student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Rayann shares how her Palestinian heritage influences her writing, the challenges of finding your voice between different worlds, and why poetry remains one of the most powerful tools for understanding ourselves and each other.
Thoughtful, insightful, and wise beyond her years, Rayann reminds us that curiosity and creativity belong in every field of study. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I get to sit down and chat with such amazing creative humans. Rayann is one of those people whose passion for learning, storytelling, and building understanding leaves you feeling hopeful about the future.

The Art Box - Episode 439 - 2026 Memorial Day Special

Join us as Wyoming Poet Darrell Holden recites his poem "Thanks" and Mesquite, Nevada resident DJ Van Dyke sings a beautiful Memorial Day ballad. 

The Art Box - Episode 438 - The Sharp End Of Life - A Conversation with Dierdre Wolownick

Episode 438 steps into the sharp edges of perseverance, trust, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of possibility. In this conversation, Steve sits down with author, climber, speaker, teacher, and lifelong seeker Dierdre to discuss her new book, Success in 7 Steps, and the lived experiences that shaped it.
From rock climbing partnerships where lives quite literally hang in the balance, to navigating difficult personal chapters with grit and tenacity, Dierdre reflects on the lessons that taught her how dreams are not simply wished into existence — they are climbed toward, one deliberate hold at a time. Along the way, she shares thoughts on curiosity, teaching, persistence, modern life’s overwhelming pace, and why she believes anyone can achieve their dream if they have the right roadmap.
This is a conversation about endurance, about learning from both good examples and bad ones, and about standing at what Dierdre calls “the sharp end of life” — those moments where challenge, risk, and transformation all meet.
And somewhere between the cliffs, classrooms, hardships, and victories… lies a reminder that it is never too late to begin the climb.
Dierdre's books can be found on Amazon: 
Her upcoming movie trailer here: Climbing Into Life: The Dierdre Wolownick Story
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 437 – Women in Focus – A Photography Roundtable Across the West

What happens when four talented photographers who first met through creative wanderings across the American West finally sit down together for a roundtable conversation?
A whole lot of laughter, insight, storytelling… and a deep appreciation for the art of noticing.
In this special The Art Box Podcast roundtable episode, Steve welcomes returning guests Tiffany Weems, Sue Beauchamp, Teresa Wasiak, and Marla Aufmuth for an engaging conversation about photography, creativity, travel, human connection, and the stories waiting quietly behind the lens.
Steve first met Tiffany, Sue, and Teresa through Travel Nevada FOCUS photography conferences, while Marla and Steve crossed paths during the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko. Over time, all four became individual guests on The Art Box—and eventually the idea emerged: why not bring everyone together?
The result is a warm, funny, and thoughtful discussion exploring:
what first drew them to photography
the emotional side of capturing images
travel and creative curiosity
finding beauty in overlooked places
women supporting women in the arts
and how photography teaches us to slow down and truly see the world around us
From desert light to cowboy gatherings, quiet moments to unexpected friendships, this episode celebrates not just photography—but the community and conversations that grow around it.
Sometimes the best images begin simply by paying attention.
 

The Art Box - Episode 436 - Happily Facilitating Ah-ha Moments at the STEAM Center - Meet Kristi Tausinga

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Kristi Tausinga, manager of the Mesquite Works STEAM Center, to explore creativity, mentorship, healing, and the joy of helping young minds discover those unforgettable “aha” moments.
A retired police officer turned educational leader, Kristi brings a deeply human perspective to her work with students. Known for thinking outside the box, she helps create unique hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity, confidence, and imagination. And if you ask the students, they’ll tell you the same thing—Kristi genuinely cares, and it shows.
Steve and Kristi talk about the evolving mission of the STEAM Center, the importance of creating safe and inspiring spaces for youth, and how creativity and learning often grow strongest when students are encouraged to explore freely. The conversation also touches on mental health, first responders, intuition, and the value of meaningful human connection.
Kristi’s husband Felipe, leads the center’s chess club and helps young players discover strategy, patience, and confidence one move at a time.
Beyond education, Kristi shares her passion for writing and poetry, often crafting deeply reflective pieces filled with emotion, resilience, and insight.
Warm, thoughtful, and filled with heart, this episode is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most important thing a mentor can do is simply help someone believe they are capable of discovering something new within themselves.

The Art Box - Episode 435 – Journeys, Characters, and the Roads Between – with Stephen Murray

From England to Southern Africa to the Nevada desert, Stephen Murray has lived a life shaped by travel, reinvention, observation, and story. In this thoughtful episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with the author, retired software entrepreneur, and host of Gift of Giving on WWDBTV in Las Vegas to explore how a lifetime of experiences eventually found their way into fiction.
Stephen shares reflections on writing six novels across multiple genres, the importance of strong character development, and why he believes dialogue should reveal who a character is without always needing to say their name. The conversation moves through world travel, critique groups, imagination, creativity, and the challenge of staying true to yourself while life continuously throws unexpected curves.
Along the way, Stephen discusses the balance between analytical thinking and storytelling, his skepticism of modern technology and AI, and the simple but powerful hope that readers might find connection, escapism, and shared humanity within the pages of his books.
The episode also explores Stephen’s work as host of Gift of Giving on WWDBTV, a program dedicated to shining a light on smaller nonprofit organizations and the people quietly working to make a difference in their communities. It’s a passion project rooted in compassion, generosity, and the belief that even small acts of giving can create lasting ripples.
Warm, reflective, and quietly insightful, this episode is a reminder that every life journey leaves fingerprints on the stories we choose to tell.
Learn more about Stephen: https://authorstephenmurray.com/about/
View Gift of Giving: https://wwdbtv.com/shows/the-gift-of-giving/
 

The Art Box - Episode 434 - Ho'oponopono - Lead with the Heart - Kaye Ashbridge

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with one of his best friends in Mesquite, Kaye Ashbridge, for a conversation centered around intuition, healing, self-reflection, and leading with the heart.
Kaye shares thoughts from her intuitive practice and her work with tarot cards—not as tools to predict a fixed future, but as gentle doorways into deeper thought, self-awareness, and personal growth. Together, Steve and Kaye explore the Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono, the importance of listening inwardly, and the idea that sometimes the answers we seek are already quietly waiting inside us.
As always with Kaye, the conversation becomes more than an interview. It turns into something restorative… a reminder to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the light we each carry within ourselves.
This episode closes with what Kaye calls an “active prayer,” an unscripted shared moment of reflection focused on insight, higher selves, and innate Divinity, with Kristi joining Steve and Kaye in the experience.
Whether you’re deeply spiritual, creatively curious, or simply searching for a little peace in a noisy world, this episode invites you to pause for a while… and lead with the heart.
You can learn more about Kaye at: https://expandinghearttarot.com/
Instagram: @kayeashbridge