The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 44 - Creativity at the Library with Vanessa Giebink

Please note this episode was recorded on September 1, 2022 thus our conversation about 100+ degrees.
Vanessa Giebink works for Las Vegas-Clark County Library District as the Computer Lab Department Head at the Mesquite Library Learning Center. She is nearing her 5 year work anniversary. Her educational background is in business management and library science, which together are her passion. Her latest endeavor is joining the Virgin Valley Artist Association (VVAA) board.
Vanessa attended middle and high school in Mesquite, NV. This is her hometown and where she plans on staying to raise her two kids. She is married to a local paramedic firefighter. They also have a mini goldendoodle, who is very much a part of the family. She enjoys learning more about Mesquite and the community of people that are moving in every day. The more time she spends getting to know members of VVAA, the more interest she has to discover and create.
Working at the Mesquite Library has opened doors for her to better understand the needs of the community. Libraries around the world understand the importance of arts in the library and how that transfers into artistic literacy. Vanessa enjoys attending and promoting the wonderful programs put on the VVAA. She feels the VVAA Art Box Podcast gave her an opportunity to share her passion for working at the library and share some of the insights as to what the Mesquite Library offers the community.
We did talk about NFT's on this episode, if you would like to learn more use this link: https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/blockchain-tutorial/what-is-nft

The Art Box - Episode 43 - Ten Minutes with Denise Sims

Come visit with our friend Denise Sims as she explains her Christmas Floral design workshop using pine & cedar greens, flowers and ornaments to make arrangements. Flowers, greens, ornaments and vases will be supplied and participants will create two beautiful arrangements to take home. Supply List : Floral tools-shears, stripper, gloves, apron. Participants may have supplies/tools needed from her previous class.

The Art Box - Episode 42 - Meet Sue Fritzke

The Art Box recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sue Fritzke superintendent of Capitol Reef NP in Utah.Steve had the pleasure of serving as the 2022 Artist in Residence at Capitol Reef under Sue's direction and we lucked out having Sue as a gest.Sue, a 38-year veteran of the Park Service, tells us about growing up in a family that focused on nature and our public lands. At one time she was deputy superintendent for four Northern California parks, all in the East Bay: Eugene O’Neill and John Muir National Historic Sites, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, and Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. We hone in on some great Rosie the Riveter stories, red back packs, orchards, climate change, art, floods, her dislike of the color red and her passion for the Artist in Residence Program.A natural resources professional by training and experience, Sue began her NPS career in 1985 as an interpretation ranger at Yosemite National Park. She also served at Mount Rainier National Park before moving into biological science, prescribed fire and vegetation ecology posts for the next 11 years at Yosemite and then Redwood National and State Parks.Sue next served as supervisory resources manager at Yosemite (1998-2003) before moving to the Bay Area to be branch chief for vegetation management at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historical Park (2003-2011).Since 2015, she has been a participant in the NPS Superintendents’ Leadership Roundtable. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and physical geography from UC-Santa Barbara and her master’s in physical geography and plant ecology from Oregon State University in Corvallis. A master gardener, Fritzke also taught a course in park horticulture at West Valley Community College in Saratoga, CA.
Join us for a fun chat with an amazing human.

The Art Box - Episode 41 - Ten Minutes with The Mesquite-Toes Tap Team

Join the Art Box team as we interview Marge Westwood, Director of the The Mesquite-Toes Tap Team based in Mesquite, Nevada. Marge will tell us about her group and their upcoming shows.
The Mesquite-Toes make several appearances in Mesquite throughout the years.They perform an annual Christmas Benefit and support many local charitable and civic functions by either performing and/or volunteering.They culminate their dance season every April with a multi-performance dance spectacular where all of the teams get to show how spectacular they are!The team has performed throughout Nevada, Utah, and California and also in venues much further from home - New York City, Branson, MO, and even during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. They have presented shows for Holland America Cruise Lines on several occasions and always to standing room only crowds.The Mesquite-Toes Tap team is a senior dance team that uses practices and performances to promote the health and teamwork of the dancers. The team in an all-inclusive group and welcomes anyone to join.  Through performances and shows, the team emphasizes that one can be active at any age.  Seniors are inspired to "be all that they can be". The team is a non-profit, primarily senior dance team which promotes both the physical and mental health of its dancers.

The Art Box- Episode 40 - Meet Joy Craig

Joy Craig.

The Art Box- Episode 39 - Meet Bob Craig

Robert Craig - A graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Master of Arts in Directing; Robert's work has been     nominated for numerous awards including the LA Weekly Theatre award for his production of Tender with the National American Shakespeare  Company and the Dramalogue award for The Lark with the Knightsbridge Theatre. Throughout his more than 40 years in theatre Robert has served as Artistic Director for Tour de Force Repertory Company, a Board of Director member for Long Beach Playhouse, and Director-in-residence for the Knightsbridge Theatre. As a Director, his work has ranged from Shakespeare, to original works, to modern comedies, to musicals. His productions include: Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Twelfth Night, and The Tempest as well as Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, Durang's Betty's Summer Vacation, Shaffer's Equus, and The Drowsy Chaperone. A resident of Mesquite since 2020.
 

The Art Box - Episode 38 - Ten Minutes with Tyler and Stewart

Virgin Valley High School art teacher Tyler Roylance sits down for a fun discussion of art with his student Stewart Plank. 

The Art Box - Episode 37 -Ten Minutes With - Cowboy Poetry

Join us Saturday November 12th @ 1PM as Virgin Valley Heritage Museum presents a tribute to our veterans.
Free Admission
Fine Arts Center Classroom
15. W. Mesquite Blvd.
Come and join the Cowboy Poets.

The Art Box - Episode 36 - Joyce Redweik

What a fun time we had interviewing Joyce, You will enjoy this bundle of fun and energy.
Take it away Joyce -
When I am asked what kind of artist I am, I respond that I am a doodler. Sometimes I get a puzzling look, then I am asked what is a doodler? I explain that it is form of line art that is repeating patterns and allowing your pen to go wherever you feel. I like to say it brings out my inner weirdness. After I give my explanation, people then become very interested. The art form is also known as tangling or the trademark name Zentangle. I love doodling because we all have doodled at one time, usually as a kid in school.  Now I am turning my doodles into art. I have doodled for about 6 years.  I started in a class in Arizona and I was hooked.  I find it a relaxing form of art and now I am sharing doodling in a gallery art class. I love to watch new doodlers realize that they can create pieces of art from repeating lines. I am a proud that some of my students are entering contests and placing their pieces of art in the gallery giftshop.
Some “doodle” patterns actually have symbolic meaning in ancient cultures, such as the spiral which represents the galaxy and the beginning of the life cycle.  I especially love the Hawaiian and southwest patterns. Patterns are everywhere and I often find myself staring them and snapping a picture of it. I have taken pictures of carpets, shirts, and other places.
I haven’t always worked on my art, but as a kid I enjoyed drawing, coloring, and creating. We retired in Mesquite 3 years ago and I focused my newly found free time on being more creative. My husband gave up his dream den to allow me to have my dream art room. It usually looks like a hurricane came through it as projects in progress sit out waiting for attention. Since retiring, not only have I worked on doodling, but I have also explored other creative outlets such as pottery, color pencils, acrylics, watercolor, and photography. I always think that I should focus on one area, but I have such fun with many mediums.
My family supports me in my endeavors and encourages me to be creative. Besides a wonderful husband, (did I mention he gave up his dream den), we have two amazing adult children.  My son is an airline captain and my daughter works in logistics for a defense contractor.  They are both married and have wonderful families that are dear to my heart.
I will often ask my family, especially my husband who gave up his dream den, what they think of one of my pieces of art. I appreciate that they are honest with me because it only helps me get better.  Sometimes we have a good laugh and move on. Recently, I was working on a color pencil project of a baby tiger’s eye. It looked more like a sloth having a bad hair day.  I laughed so hard that I was almost crying. I believe it is important to realize that not every piece is going to turn out to be a masterpiece but more every piece is a learning experience.

The Art Box - Episode 35 - Ten Minutes with Mesquite Respite Senior Day Program

A New Perspective in Respite
Mesquite Respite Senior Day Program
The Senior Day Program is to improve the quality of life for older adults.
We focus on Dignity and Independence while allowing families peace of mind.
We work together so we can provide cognitive and social experiences so that they may have the highest standard of life.
 
Deborah Ayler
Senior Day Center Project Coordinator 
Phone 702-346-5290 ext. 4105