The Art Box

The Art Box – Episode 364 - “Life Behind the Music: Petty Fever Part I”

In this special three-part series of The Art Box, host MJ takes us home to Oregon for an intimate look at the stories, friendships, and creative spark that drive Petty Fever, the award-winning Tom Petty tribute band beloved across the Northwest and beyond. Through personal connections with the band and their families, MJ explores the music that shaped their lives, the heart behind their performances, and the shared passion that keeps classic rock alive for a new generation. Life Behind the Music goes deeper than the stage—into the people, places, and moments that make the music matter.
In the opening episode of Life Behind The Music, host MJ reconnects with longtime friend and PNW native Craig Ostbo, a man whose rhythm bridges two worlds: boardrooms and backbeats. As CEO of Oh! Strategic Branding in Portland, Craig has spent more than three decades shaping the identities of some of the most trusted names in natural and sustainable foods while teaching, mentoring, and guiding the next generation of brand thinkers.
But behind the strategy lies the drummer’s soul. Craig shares how his early passion for music never left him, leading to more than fifty performances a year with Petty Fever, the award-winning Tom Petty tribute band loved nationwide. In this heartfelt conversation, MJ and Craig explore the harmony between creativity and commerce, how rhythm informs leadership, and why the pulse of music still drives him—both on stage and in life.
Learn more about Oh! Strategic Branding: https://www.ceohglobal.com/
Petty Fever: http://www.pettyfever.com

The Art Box - Episode 362 - Between Brushstrokes: A Catch-Up from The Art Box

In this special episode, co-founder Steve Dudrow takes a thoughtful pause to share what’s been happening behind the scenes at The Art Box Podcast. After a brief lull between episodes, Steve catches listeners up on the many creative directions the team has been pursuing, from public art projects and poetry collections to new podcast adventures and community outreach.
Hear updates on Mesquite Works STEAM Center’s “STEAM into 2026” campaign, the Mesquite First Friday Family Art Walk, and a sneak peek at our newest sister series, Alternate Realms. Steve also shares what co-hosts Suzie White, MJ Stiles, and Sandi Randelle have been up to, plus news from favorite past guests, public art milestones, and a few heartfelt reflections from The Art Box’s ever-curious research assistant, Addison.
To close, enjoy two preview poems from our upcoming Harvest of Thought special project, featuring beautiful original works by Heather Lang-Cassara and Annie MacKenzie, a taste of the inspiring voices soon to come.
It’s a moment to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with the creative pulse that keeps The Art Box beating strong.

The Art Box - Episode 361 - Ideas and Dreams at Winchester Dondero Cultural Center - Meet Irma Varela

The Art Box travels to Las Vegas to explore one of the valley’s most dynamic creative spaces — the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center. Our guest is Irma Varela, the visionary Cultural Program Supervisor who has spent decades shaping a place where artists, performers, and neighbors gather to imagine and create.
Irma shares the story behind the Center’s mission to nurture community through the arts, from neighborhood murals and cross-cultural festivals to intimate performances and workshops that give every voice a place. We talk about her own journey in arts leadership, how ideas become action, and why accessible cultural spaces matter more than ever.
If you’ve ever wondered how creativity builds connection and resilience, this episode will inspire you to dream a little bigger for your own community.
Join The Art Box on November 2nd at the 2025 - 24th Annual Life in Death Festival
Find out more by visiting their web site: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/parks___recreation/cultural_division/winchester_dondero_cultural_center/
 

The Art Box - Episode 360 - Opening the Field: Making Sports Accessible for Every Kid — Cory Clemetson & Kids for Sports

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Cory Clemetson, founder along with his brother Chad of the Kids for Sports Foundation, a nonprofit committed to helping children in Mesquite and the Virgin Valley experience the joy and life lessons of organized athletics. Cory shares the story behind starting the foundation, the moment he realized cost was keeping too many kids on the sidelines, and how his team works to remove barriers so every child who wants to play can join in.
Beyond sports, Cory talks about the deeper mission: building character, confidence, and community connection. We explore how access to athletics shapes friendships, resilience, and healthy habits, and how Wolf Creek’s local partnerships and fundraising efforts keep that mission alive. It’s a look at how one idea, born out of noticing a gap, has grown into a movement giving young people a chance to dream, compete, and belong.
It is our mission to ensure kids are given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of playing organized sports. We do this by helping remove financial and other barriers that prevent kids from participating in sports.
How to help: https://www.kidsforsportsfoundation.org/apply-for-grant
This episode is brought to you by Art Box by Liezl at 707 East Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

The Art Box - Episode 359 - Fresh Ideas with IKA Greens: A Conversation with Kirsten Pope

In Episode 359 of The Art Box, MJ and Steve welcome Kirsten Pope to the STEAM Center recording studio for a lively conversation about IKA Greens, the innovative business she runs with her husband, Alex.
We dig into what “IKA” really stands for, how their operation is changing the way our community thinks about fresh, locally grown produce, and why sustainable food systems matter now more than ever. Kirsten shares the story behind their business, their vision for the future of farming in the desert, and what it’s like to run a family business with purpose.
This episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and maybe even a little encouragement to get your hands dirty, or at least to eat more greens!
You can find IKA Greens open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM at Baja Imports (410 W Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, NV 89027). Stop by for fresh, locally grown veggies, and don’t miss their delicious soups and creative salad options. Enjoy them on the spot or take them home, and stay a while to catch up with neighbors. It’s fresh food and good community all in one stop! Did we mention they have fresh doggie treats.
Find out more at: https://www.ikagreens.com/

The Art Box - Episode 358 - Shinrin-Yoku

In this calming, reflective and short episode of The Art Box, Steve invites listeners to slow down and discover the practice of forest bathing, the Japanese art of shinrin-yoku, or “bathing” in the forest atmosphere.
Steve explores what forest bathing is, the science behind its benefits, from lowered stress and blood pressure to boosted immunity, and why it has become such a powerful wellness movement around the world. He shares his own experiences, from dozing under ponderosa pines at Mount Charleston to finding peace among Joshua trees and ravens during his residency at Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.
Finally, Steve offers practical tips for creating your own version of forest (or desert!) bathing right here in the Mojave, including how to stay safe, find shade, and connect with the sounds and scents of the desert.
Whether you’re a nature lover, an artist, or just in need of a mental reset, this episode will leave you breathing a little deeper and seeing the world with fresh eyes.

The Art Box - Episode 357 - Dedicated and Motivated: Chris Oviatt’s USGA Adaptive Journey

In this inspiring episode of The Art Box, MJ sits down with her friend Oregon golfer Chris Oviatt, the 2024 NAGA Women’s Overall National Champion and Western Region representative for the 2025 USGA Adaptive Open Championship.
Chris shares her 32-year journey as a competitive golfer, living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and how braces, a cane, and a positive outlook help her keep playing the sport she loves. She talks about her many victories, including 20 club championships and a win at the Arrowhead Ladies Invitational with 108 competitors, and her philosophy of “play well and have fun.”
Join us for an uplifting conversation about perseverance, passion, and what it means to stay dedicated and motivated on and off the course.

The Art Box - Episode 356 - The Power of Performance: Bill Wright Jr. Shares His Story

In this inspiring episode of The Art Box, we sit down with Mesquite actor Bill Wright Jr. to explore how a soldier became a storyteller. Bill shares how his time in the U.S. Army taught him to speak confidently in front of crowds and cameras, and how reciting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech became a defining moment in his life.
That experience opened the door to his first performances in church plays and, eventually, to the Mesquite Community Theatre, where he now shines as one of its key actors, taking on a wide range of roles with passion and purpose.
Join us as we talk about courage, creativity, and the unexpected roads that lead us to the stage.
Mesquite Community Theatre tickets can be purchased here: https://mctnv.com/
 

The Art Box - Episode 355 - Echos of Belonging

The Art Box – Episode 355: Echoes of Belonging
In this deeply personal conversation, three friends, Mary Jane Stiles, Eydie Ann Lieberman, and William R. Marye, open up about lives shaped by an absence: the missing threads of an unknown or absent parent. Together, they reflect on the emotional weight of not knowing where you come from, how long-kept secrets shaped their sense of self, and what it means to reconnect, or not, with family decades later.
This is an episode about identity, loss, resilience, and the winding, unexpected paths we walk in search of belonging. We also want to give a special nod to MJ, who has been with The Art Box team for several months now. Her thoughtful approach and curiosity have broadened our subject matter, opening space for conversations that dive deep into humanity, love, and discovery.
A quick note: our apologies for the occasional roughness in Bill’s audio. Seems the signal lines around the Chesapeake Bay weren’t entirely on our side that day.

The Art Box - Episode 354 - Hugfest, Song, Dance and Community with Linda Villanueva

In this special follow-up episode, MJ sits down once again with Linda Villanueva of the Mesquite Cafe Blues Band to catch up on her ever-expanding creative journey. While the band proudly calls Mesquite home, their music now reaches even farther with performances in Las Vegas and Laughlin, sharing their soulful blend of blues and rock with new audiences.
Beyond the stage, Linda is a familiar face in Mesquites' cultural scene, bringing her energy and artistry to groups like the Mesquite Showgirls and the Mesquite Toes dance troupe, where she helps foster connection, joy, and community spirit. Together, they talk about the rhythm of balancing music, performance, and service, and how creativity becomes even more powerful when it’s shared. This episode celebrates not only Linda’s bluesy voice but also her role as a heartbeat in Mesquites' vibrant arts community.
Find more at: https://mesquitecafebluesband.com/