The Art Box

07/16/2025

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,...

07/14/2025

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/

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 Gram...

07/14/2025

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 Gram...

07/13/2025

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...

07/13/2025

07/12/2025

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.

We recommend "Beyond the 50-Year Rule" podcast that Lexi and Ian host. If you are interested in Utah history and archeology you will love this podcast. Like ours available on Podbean, Spotify, Apple, Amazon and others.

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 col...

07/12/2025

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 col...

07/12/2025

Welcome to The Art Box! I’m your host, MJ Stiles, and today we’re recording from our Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio with someone who’s been lighting up the local art scene since his early teens.

Liam Gutierrez has been a featured artist at Juniper Outpost Boutique in Mesquite, Nevada since he was just 14 years old. Beloved by customers and deeply appreciated by shop owners Charlotte and David, Liam’s work is a staple of the boutique’s vibrant, creative atmosphere. Whether it’s intricate crochet, bold digital designs, or one-of-a-kind jewelry, Liam brings a fearless and joyful approach to everything he creates.

Now, having just graduated high school, Liam is stepping boldly into the professional art world. In his own words: “Hi! My name is Liam Gutierrez, and I'm an artist! Crochet, jewelry making, digital art, there isn't anything that's tripped me up yet! For as long as I can recall, art has been a huge part of my life and who I am. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m ready to enter the professional art world and make a name for myself!”

Today’s episode is all about creative courage, growing up with artistic passion, and what it means to turn that passion into a career. Let’s dive in!

Welcome to The Art Box! I’m your host, MJ Stiles, and today we’re recording from our Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio with someone who’s been lighting up the local art scene since his early teens. Liam Gutierrez has been a featured artist at Juniper Outpost Boutique in Mesquite, Nevada since...