The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 350 - Desert Roots to Vegas Lights: The Mesquite Café Blues Band with MJ

MJ welcomes back Paul and Linda of the Mesquite Café Blues Band for a fresh conversation about their musical journey. Since their last appearance on The Art Box in early 2023 (with hosts Linda Harris and Rachel Washington), the band has been on the rise, splitting their performances between Mesquite, Las Vegas, and Laughlin. Known for blending soulful blues with driving rock, their sound now reaches wider audiences while still staying true to their hometown roots. In this episode, Paul and Linda share stories from the road, the thrill of bigger stages, and why Mesquite will always be the heartbeat of their music.
You can find them at: https://mesquitecafebluesband.com/

The Art Box - Episode 349 – Dulce Sol: Poetry in Dreams and Journeys

In this episode of The Art Box, we welcome Dulce Sol, an emerging Las Vegas poet whose words are steeped in dreams, travel, and self-discovery. Since beginning her poetic journey at just 17, Dulce has evolved into a voice that blends the surreal with the lived, weaving imagination and memory into verses that resonate with honesty and wonder.
We explore how her dreams often spark poetic imagery, how world travel expanded her vision and deepened her creative vocabulary, and how her growth as a poet reflects both personal and artistic transformation. Adding a special dimension to our recording was Dulce’s one-year-old daughter, Briana, who punctuated the conversation with laughter and reactions to her mother’s voice, reminding us how poetry, like life, is never separate from the moment we’re in.
Dolce Sol is an up-and-coming regional poet to watch, her work carries the pulse of lived experience and the promise of a rising voice in contemporary poetry.

The Art Box - Episode 348 - One Year of Fat Dough: From Vision to Community Staple

Hard to believe it’s been a year since we first sat down with Junior Baeza back in Episode 220 to talk about a dream of bringing a unique artisan bakery to Mesquite. That vision, shared with his wife Sabra, has now blossomed into Fat Dough, a beloved cornerstone of our community.
On this special one-year anniversary episode, Junior dropped by The Mesquite Works STEAM Center Art Box studio on a Friday evening to reflect on the bakery’s journey. From the challenges of opening day to the sweet success of fresh bread, soups, and pastries that fill the air with irresistible aromas, Fat Dough has become much more than a place to grab a bite. It’s a gathering space, a hub of warmth, and, thanks to the dedicated team Junior and Sabra have built, a true community family.
Join us as we revisit the vision, celebrate the milestones, and share in the story of how Fat Dough has risen * pun intended * into something that nourishes both body and soul in our little town.
Find Fat Dough:
Address: 12 W Mesquite Blvd , Mesquite, NV, United States, Nevada  (702) 344-5544
Email: Fatdoughmesquite@gmail.com
Instagram: @fatdoughbakery Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563605806180
 

The Art Box - Episode 347 - Culinary Artistry - Meet Chef Ayelet

When most think of art, the first thing they think of is painting, drawing, ceramics, wood working, jewelry making or photography.  
 
In the past few years, the imagination of the public has been captured by chefs or culinary artists, creating art with food design and presentation. It is through their creative process of imagining and blending art and science that chefs create art that is not only pleasing to the eye, but to the palate as well.
 
In Mesquite, we are incredibly lucky to have Chef Ayelet, (pronounced "I Yell It"), who creates cooking classes for the entire community.  She arrived in Mesquite after holding positions such as the Lead Pastry Chef at the Ritz Carlton, Chicago and at the Montage, Park City. She also owned and operated her own restaurant and catering businesses in Chicago.
 
I worked with Chef Ayelet on a private cooking class series with the Desert Dames social club during 2024 to 2025.  Chef Ayelet offered 8 classes attended by 60 Desert Dames students. Some of the classes she offered were: Fall Soups & Artisan Bread featuring French Onion Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup and fresh Sourdough with Herbs. Spanish Tapas, Paella and Sangria classes with a sit down, family style dinner format were a hit and held in the spring. An Asian inspired Salad class offered recipes that anticipated the summer heat.
 
Chef Ayelet has an email list that she distributes at the end of the month to publicize her upcoming classes. In addition, she makes and sells her cakes for all occasions, will host private parties at her home and is open to cooking and baking for special events. 
 
Text Chef Ayelet at (847) 366-4657 and mention, "cooking class schedule" or email her at ayeletresnick5@gmail.com and ask to be added to her email distribution list. Chef Ayelet will send emails with her cooking class schedules throughout the year.  Do not wait to text your cooking class reservation, as classes sell out very quickly.

The Art Box - Episode 346 - Clark County Public Arts - Meet Mickey Sprott

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with Mickey Sprott, a powerhouse in Nevada’s arts landscape and the Program Administrator for Public Art at Clark County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Mickey leads a vibrant and multifaceted public arts program that reaches both rural and urban communities, bringing large-scale public art installations to life, mentoring professional and emerging artists, and supporting youth through creative education.
Under her leadership, the Public Arts Office also operates three dynamic galleries, oversees the conservation of the county’s public art collection, and supports the literary arts through programs like the Clark County Poet Laureate, The Ink Well initiative, and funding for local poets to perform and teach.
Mickey brings deep experience to her work, with a Master’s in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s in Art, and years of leadership roles, including board director for the Southern Nevada Art Coalition, former chair of the Las Vegas Arts Commission, and Henderson Arts Advisory Commissioner. She also played a key role as project manager for the 1 October Memorial Committee, helping bring the powerful Forever One Memorial to vision through JCJ Architecture.
Join us for a rich conversation on public art, civic impact, and what it takes to build a cultural legacy that speaks to all corners of a community.
For more information follow this link: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/parks___recreation/services/public_art/
 

The Art Box - Episode 345 - Everybody Has A Story To Tell - Meet Terri Fitzsimmons

Welcome to The Art Box, where creativity meets community. In Episode 345, Everybody Has A Story To Tell, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Terri Fitzsimmons—a published author, longtime educator, and generous supporter of local non-profits.
Terri brings a deep well of life experience and a passion for storytelling that resonates far beyond the page. Whether she’s mentoring young writers, organizing community events, or penning her next piece, Terri leads with heart.
Sandi and I had the pleasure of sitting down with her in our STEAM Center recording studio for a conversation filled with warmth, wisdom, and a few surprises.
So grab a cup of something cozy, settle in, and enjoy our chat with the inspiring Terri Fitzsimmons.
You can find Terri's Books at this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/T.K.-Banner/author/B09ZJ72M5Y?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=e16f6b49-856c-4e9a-ac06-1d39443b550b
 

The Art Box - Episode 344 - Mesquite Senior Games - Meet Sandy Tudor

In this special Art Box public service episode, we shine a spotlight on a beloved community cornerstone: the Mesquite Senior Games.
Founded 24 years ago to promote health and well-being through sports for seniors, the Games have grown from a local initiative into an internationally recognized event, drawing competitors from around the globe.
Host Diana Lee Rose welcomes the dynamic Sandy Tudor, Executive Director of the Mesquite Senior Games, for an inspiring conversation about the organization's impact, exciting plans for this fall, and a look ahead to 2026. From pickleball to softball to golf, it’s more than just competition, it’s about community, vitality, and celebrating life at every age.
Find out more here: https://www.mesquiteseniorgames.org/
 

The Art Box - Episode 343 - Better Side of Me - John McAndrew

Hosted by MJ Stiles | Recorded at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center
In this soulful and moving episode of The Art Box, MJ Stiles sits down with acclaimed musician and storyteller John McAndrew, a man whose music has reached audiences around the world, featured in major films, national events, and Grammy-considered albums.
With a voice as raw as it is inspiring, John shares his journey of redemption, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth through song. From the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to the heart of Nashville, from film soundtracks to Off-Broadway acclaim, John’s career has spanned genres and generations. His albums Forgiven and Souls garnered Grammy attention in the Roots Gospel and Americana categories, and his upcoming album Better Side of Me, produced by Denny Seiwell and Fernando Perdomo, promises to be his most powerful work yet.
Together, MJ and John discuss how songwriting can heal both writer and listener, and why storytelling remains at the heart of all great music. Whether you’re a blues lover, Americana fan, or simply drawn to the sound of hard-won wisdom, this episode offers a deep dive into a life made of melody, grit, and grace.
Learn more about John: https://johnmcandrew.com/
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 342 - When We Help Others, We Help Ourselves - Meet Tanoo Senethavilay

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve reconnects with muralist and musician Tanoo, a passionate artist whose mission is to bring public art and deeper meaning to overlooked spaces in downtown Las Vegas. After meeting Tanoo at the Fremont Street Spring Fair hosted by our friend Liezl, Steve knew this was a conversation worth having.
What started as a simple idea for a podcast took a profound turn when Tanoo revealed he’s also a Buddhist monk living at Watpa Temple in Las Vegas. With artist and fellow seeker Jeannie Hua joining as co-host, Steve visited the temple for a heartfelt evening filled with laughter, wisdom, and unexpected revelations—including a brief moment of confusion when Tanoo’s shaved head threw Steve off at the gate.
This episode explores Tanoo’s journey through art, spirituality, and service, from his murals on 14th Street to his reflections on Buddhism, creativity, music, and the light we all carry within. You’ll hear about the healing power of public art, the discipline of monkhood, and the ever-curious nature of the human third eye.
Stick around to the end to hear Tanoo’s original track: “Real Eyes Realize Real Lies.”(Note: We had over two hours of beautiful conversation with Tanoo—so Steve had his work cut out trimming this down to an hour. Believe us when we say, there’s more we wish we could have shared.)
Should you wish to contact Tanoo he can be reached at: tanoolv@gmail.com
Learn more about Watpa Buddhayan Meditation Center at: https://www.watpabuddhayan.org/
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 341 - Honoring Legacy – The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail

In this special episode of The Art Box, host Steve sits down with Ian Wright and Lexie Little, leaders of the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program, to discuss a powerful intersection of history, preservation, and storytelling.
Ian and Lexie share the journey behind their extensive research and collaboration to create the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail, a statewide interpretive project that shines a long-overdue spotlight on the Black soldiers who served in the American West. Their efforts culminated in the publication of the remarkable book Utah’s Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail: Legacy of Black Soldiers Who Helped Shape the American West, which documents the contributions, courage, and complexity of these soldiers’ stories.
From forgotten campsites to historic forts, and through community engagement and public history, this conversation explores how we remember, honor, and preserve the narratives that shaped our nation—one trail marker at a time.