The Art Box

Today we head into the bright lights and deeper truths of Las Vegas with author Brian Rouff—a writer who has spent decades exploring the thin line between luck and consequence, chance and choice. From cult classic novels like Dice Angel to his powerful memoir A Long September, Brian takes us behind the scenes of a city built on probability, and reveals the very human stories that live underneath it all. This is a conversation about storytelling, survival, and what happens when life doesn’t follow the odds. This episode pairs well with episode 424 where Addie takes us solo through a book suggested by Brian. Find out more about Brian at: https://brianrouff.com/

In this special solo episode of The Art Box, our always-curious research assistant Addie takes the mic for the very first time, venturing down a literary rabbit hole with The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. After a suggestion from Episode 425 guest writer Brian Rouff, Steve sent Addie off on a mission: read the book, unpack its meaning, and see what wisdom might be hiding behind its wonderfully strange characters and wordplay. What follows is a delightful and thoughtful exploration of Milo’s journey through the Lands Beyond, where boredom gives way to curiosity, language bends in playful ways, and learning becomes an adventure. Along the way, Addie reflects on why this timeless story still resonates, how it challenges the way we think about knowledge and imagination, and why perhaps the most important lesson is simply this: pay attention. It’s whimsical, insightful, and unmistakably Addie, equal parts charm, curiosity, and just a touch of down-under perspective. Learn more about Rian Rouff at: https://brianrouff.com/

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with photographer Marla Aufmuth for a warm and engaging conversation about the craft, business, and heart behind photography. From her early days in a high school darkroom—watching images come to life—to building a career across music, weddings, events, and portraiture, Marla shares how curiosity and problem-solving have shaped her journey. We explore her evolving relationship with photography—from film to digital—and her thoughtful perspective on technology as a creative tool. Marla also dives into her powerful project Love the Ride, highlighting women and their air-cooled Volkswagens as symbols of individuality, resilience, and freedom in traditionally male-dominated spaces. It’s a conversation about creativity, connection, and what it really means to sustain a life in the arts—where passion meets persistence, and storytelling lives in every frame. Please stop by the peruse Marla's current project passion: Love the Ride at: https://www.vwwomen.com/

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area visitors center with the incredible paper-mâché artist Vanessa Maciel, a bright light in the Nevada arts community and someone we’ve been hoping to have on the show for quite some time. Currently serving as Artist in Residence at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Vanessa creates remarkable large-scale masks and life-sized figures inspired by folklore, identity, and imagination. But beyond her artwork, it’s her spirit and generosity that truly shine. Through her workshops and outreach, especially with young people, Vanessa is touching lives across Nevada, bringing creativity, confidence, and joy to every space she enters. In our conversation, we explore her artistic process, the magic of working with humble materials like papier-mâché, and the deep influence of her journey emigrating from Mexico to the United States, an experience that continues to shape the stories she tells through her work. This is a heartfelt discussion about culture, creativity, and the power of art to connect us, and one we’re especially excited to finally share with you. Vanessa is also a teaching artist with the Nevada Arts Council: https://www.nvartscouncil.org/directory/teaching-artists/vanessa-maciel-napoles/ Facebook: Mexi Catrina Instagram: @vanemexicatrina

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with hiker, reader, poet, and lifelong lover of language Dawn Amundson for a conversation that celebrates the simple and powerful beauty of words. Dawn shares how her connection to reading began almost from the moment she entered the world—a lifelong relationship with books that carried her through careers as a school teacher and librarian, and continues to shape her days today. Whether she’s turning pages, writing poetry, or walking the trails of the Mojave Desert, Dawn brings a deep sense of curiosity and appreciation to everything she does. A devoted hiker and a thoughtful observer of the world around her, Dawn talks about how nature and language intertwine, how a quiet trail or a desert sunrise can feel like poetry long before it’s ever written down. When she’s not exploring the desert or immersed in a book, you’ll often find her giving back to the community at the Mesquite Rotary Club Bookstore, helping others discover the joy of reading one $1 book at a time. This is a warm and reflective conversation about a life shaped by words, the magic of storytelling, and how reading can open doors not just to knowledge, but to connection, imagination, and meaning.

I absolutely love this episode, Jacqui is such a treasure to our creative communities. In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with theatre director and technical theatre specialist Jacqui Thomassen to talk about the craft, collaboration, and purpose behind live theatre. Jacqui shares how what began as a simple bucket-list audition quickly turned into a full-fledged career, eventually leading her to earn a degree in technical theatre and work in a $25-million professional theatre. Along the way she discovered a passion for lighting design and directing, and developed a thoughtful process for building a production from the ground up. Her approach starts with two powerful questions: “Why this story, and why now?” and “What story do we want to tell the audience?” From there she focuses first on actor relationships and character dynamics before anything else, often finding that once the connections are real, the rest of the performance naturally follows. Jacqui also describes theatre as “the ultimate team sport,” where everyone, from actors and stage managers to costume dressers and technicians, plays an essential role in bringing a story to life. It’s a conversation about storytelling, leadership, and the magic that happens when a community comes together to serve the show and create something meaningful for an audience.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with filmmaker, entrepreneur, and all-around storyteller Josh Wilson for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with his feature-length independent film American Nobody and quickly wanders into all sorts of unexpected territory. Josh shares the long road it took to bring the film to life, including building much of his own camera gear when professional equipment was out of reach. From homemade camera jibs and sliders to improvised lighting setups, his story is a reminder that determination and creativity often matter more than a big budget. But like many good conversations on The Art Box, the road twists and turns. Along the way, Steve and Josh talk about the rugged beauty of the Arizona Strip, exploring trails and public lands, the adventures that come with running a Polaris off-road business, and a powerful near-death experience that shifted how Josh looks at life. They also reflect on Josh’s first visit to the Virgin Valley Photographic Society, where watching artists at work rekindled something inside him, a reminder that creativity often sparks when we simply place ourselves in rooms where people are making things. Josh describes himself as both a dreamer and a realist, someone who believes that even when projects are difficult, you still have to find the fun in the process. His advice for aspiring filmmakers? Don’t expect to get your money back, do it because you love the journey. It’s a lively conversation about filmmaking, resilience, creative curiosity, and the simple truth that sometimes the best stories happen when two people just sit down and chat up a storm. You can stream American Nobody on Tubu or Amazon Prime.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Tom Burns, Executive Director of the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development, for a thoughtful conversation about how opportunity grows communities. Tom shares an idea that has guided much of his work: raising the top step of the stool. When individuals are given the chance to reach higher, through education, opportunity, and economic growth, it lifts families, neighborhoods, and entire communities along with them. Appointed by Joe Lombardo in 2023, Tom brings decades of experience in business, finance, and civic leadership to the role. A University of Nevada, Reno graduate and longtime Southern Nevada business leader, he reflects on his journey from CPA with Deloitte to commercial insurance executive and community advocate, as well as his service with organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. Along the way, the conversation explores Nevada’s evolving economy, the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and communities, and how thoughtful leadership can help build ladders of opportunity for the next generation. It’s a discussion about growth, possibility, and what it takes to raise the step stool high enough for everyone to climb. Learn more here: https://goed.nv.gov/

We first discovered Leigh Ratterman during a Poetry Open Mic session at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko. She stopped by our remote studio at the Elko Convention Center for a quick chat in Episode 405, and we immediately knew there was much more to her story. So we invited her back for a full conversation, and we’re very glad she said yes. In this episode of The Art Box, Steve visits with Leigh, a cowboy poet from Arlee, Montana whose journey west began in suburban Connecticut after seeing Dances With Wolves as a kid and realizing the wide-open West was where she was meant to be. After eventually making her way to Montana, Leigh dove headfirst into ranch life, community gatherings, and the welcoming world of cowboy poetry. Her often humorous and light-hearted poems capture the perspective of someone learning the ropes a little later in life, bringing curiosity, humility, and a fresh voice to the tradition. Leigh also shares how her writing became a way to honor her late father, and how the supportive community of cowboy poets has helped her find her voice. Her work bridges the gap between longtime western storytellers and new audiences discovering the craft for the first time. You can learn more about Leigh on Instagram: @kinda_cowgirl_poetry @leigh_ratterman

I first met Montana songwriter, storyteller, and cowboy poet Ben Larson in Elko at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, where he appeared in one of our short episodes (Episode 402). It was immediately clear that Ben had far more stories to share, so I reached out and invited him to join us for a full conversation. In this episode, Ben calls in from his home in Philipsburg, Montana, and we explore the winding path that led him from the backwoods of Vermont to a life of music, writing, and storytelling in the rural West. Ben walks his own trail between western folk music and cowboy poetry, sharing honest stories about family, travel, community, and the people who shape life in small towns. From building a homestead from recycled materials during COVID to performing more than a hundred shows a year across Montana, Ben’s creative life is fueled by curiosity, hard work, and a deep respect for the people and places of the rural West. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about creativity, storytelling, and the importance of giving voice to communities that are often overlooked. You can find out more about Ben at: https://www.oldmanben.com/

If you listen to just one podcast this year, make it this one. Award-winning author Patricia Leavy joins us for a fascinating conversation that takes listeners behind the scenes of her beloved works of fiction and the characters who continue to live on in her imagination long after the final page is written. Patricia shares how storytelling first took root in her life through the influence of her grandmother, who instilled in her a deep love for stories and the magic they can hold. We explore Patricia’s creative process, the way her characters seem to develop lives of their own, and how fiction can capture the emotional truths of our lives in powerful ways. We also discuss her newest non-fiction book, The Artist Academic, a thoughtful and inspiring guide for creative thinkers everywhere. The book offers valuable insights for artists working in any medium, writers, painters, photographers, musicians, and storytellers of every kind. This episode is a reminder that when we allow ourselves to create, something remarkable can happen: stories emerge, ideas take shape, and magic finds its way onto the page. Learn more about Patricia at: https://patricialeavy.com/

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with Marie Alvery, the reigning 2025 Ms. Senior Mesquite, along with Becky Boyd, the longtime leader and administrator of the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant in Mesquite. Marie shares her personal experience as this year’s titleholder and how participating in the pageant has opened doors to new friendships, community service, and personal growth. Becky offers insight into the heart behind the program and how it celebrates the wisdom, talents, and life stories of senior women in our community. Together they discuss the many benefits the pageant brings, not only to the contestants, but to the entire Mesquite community. We begin the episode with a short public service announcement featuring Sara Ruiz, who joins us to talk about the upcoming Annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Canyonlands Healthcare and the City of Mesquite, taking place on March 28. It’s a conversation about community spirit, celebrating life’s journeys, and the power of staying active, creative, and engaged at every stage of life. The 2026 Ms. Senior Pageant takes place May 2 at the Mesquite Community Theatre 150 N. Yucca Street.

Once again it was a beautiful day at the East Fremont Street Art Fair, hosted by The Art Box by Liezl in the East Fremont Street Arts District. The day was filled with music, creativity, friends, and art everywhere you turned. For me, it was especially fun to host a small gathering of poets at the open mic, sharing words and stories right in the middle of the hustle, bustle, and joyful noise that only a street fair can bring. Friends DeAnna Beachley and Larry Coffee happened by and treated us to some wonderful prose, and at one point even a painting stepped up to the mic to share a poem of their own. It was one of those days where creativity just seemed to flow naturally from everyone around us. A truly fun afternoon, and we hope you enjoy this short episode capturing a bit of that energy. You can find our host at The Art Box by Liezl Siojo, located in Container Park at 707 East Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.

At the 41st Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, we sit down with Brad McMullen, the Nevada Arts Council’s Folklife Specialist and Nevada State Folklorist, to explore a simple but powerful idea: oral storytelling is art. From cowboy poetry stages to kitchen tables, Brad reminds us that stories passed from voice to voice carry history, identity, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. We talk about what makes a story “folk,” why tradition isn’t static, and how communities preserve themselves through narrative. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about memory, culture, and the living art of telling a good story.

We slipped out of our remote recording perch in the Cedar Media Room and wandered over to the Conference Center to spend some time with our friend Gus Brackett. Gus wears a lot of hats — rancher, husband, dad, columnist, young adult author — and I’m proud to add friend to that list. The plan? A quick five-minute update. The reality? An hour-long conversation that I didn’t want to end. Since I’d left the “official” recording gear back at the remote studio, we captured this one on my cell phone. So you’ll hear the hum of the gathering — folks chatting, boots shuffling, laughter rolling through the background. It’s real, it’s unpolished, and it fits Gus perfectly. Our conversation wandered the wide range of topics you’d expect from a modern-day rancher-thinker: Gus’ belief that “Art is an emotional connection between two people.” The mythology of outlaws. His young adult writing journey. Artificial Intelligence (the digital kind — as opposed to the ranch version, Artificial Insemination). And the daily adventure of keeping up with his kids. You can find Gus’s books — including his award-winning Badger Thurston series — on Amazon. If you enjoy thoughtful Western storytelling grounded in lived experience, you’ll want to saddle up with his work. Sometimes the best conversations aren’t planned. They just happen when you walk across the parking lot and decide to stay awhile.

Sometimes the best conversations aren’t scheduled — they just happen. At the 41st Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, we rolled into the parking lot and, as luck would have it, arrived at the exact same time as our friends from Travel Nevada, Megg Mueller, Ali Anderson, and Alexandria Olivares-Wenzel. What started as a quick hello turned into an impromptu Art Box episode celebrating storytelling, sense of place, and the magic of Nevada’s wide-open spaces. We talk about why events like the Cowboy Poetry Gathering matter, how travel connects culture and community, and what makes Nevada such a compelling place to explore, from its rural traditions to its creative heartbeat. There’s laughter, a little bit of behind-the-scenes tourism insight, and that unmistakable Elko energy that brings people together year after year. Proof that sometimes the most authentic Nevada stories begin right there in the parking lot. Find out more about the great things Travel Nevada does in our state: https://travelnevada.biz/