Local Podcasters Talk About The Arts In Mesquite

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

Those trying to keep up on the art scene in Mesquite, or just on what is generally new in town, might be interested to tune into a new podcast sponsored by the Virgin Valley Artists Association.

“The Art Box” is an online talk show-like program hosted by Salt Lake City-based artist Rachelle Knight and Mesquite photographer Steve Dudrow. And the new podcast has already released no less than three programs over the past couple of weeks.

Knight rents art studio space at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center and spends about half of her time in Mesquite.

Her artwork is likely familiar to most residents of the city. She is the creator of the vibrant and colorful graphics that now adorn many of the electric utility boxes along the streets and sidewalks of Mesquite.
Dudrow heads up a local photography group for VVAA. His work has won awards in VVAA exhibits and he is known for his beautiful outdoor and landscape photography. He has also spent a good deal of time in the outdoors as a site steward volunteer and as an active member of the Friends of Gold Butte organization.

Dudrow and Knight began working together on the “The Art Box” project, initially as a way to highlight local art and artists.
“We just have so many amazing people in the community,” Knight said in an interview with The Progress. “There is really so much genius talent at the gallery. We wanted to celebrate and give voice to that.”

But as the project has gotten off the ground, both Knight and Dudrow have realized that the subject of art, even in a small town, is multi-faceted, complex and surprisingly broad.

“I feel like art is for everybody, so this is not exclusive to just the gallery set,” Knight said. “Art is in everyone’s life. So it doesn’t have to be traditional art. It can be problem solving, any kind of creativity and innovation. In “The Art Box” we are dealing with a very broad idea of art, which leaves a lot of avenues open to us to explore.”

In the very first podcast of the series, the conversation features Tyler Roylance, art teacher at Virgin Valley High School. Roylance also teaches a drawing class at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center which takes place every Tuesday afternoon. The class is currently on break for the summer but will resume in August.

In the podcast, Roylance talks about his own art journey beginning with an early creative interest from a very young age and talking about his coming of age in his native Idaho. He also talks about his own unique creative process and how becoming friends with his “inner critic;” whom he names Bruno; has helped to liberate that process for him.

In the second episode of the podcast, Dudrow and Knight have a conversation with local LGBTQ advocate Dana Long. Long is the founder and board member of the Love, Family organization.

In the podcast, Long talks about the formation of Love, Family and its mission in the community. She also talks about the second annual Pride Month festivities, a community celebration planned by Love, Family which was held on Saturday, June 25.

To bring in the art angle, Dana talked about art therapy and how it can help kids in the community who are struggling with their own identity issues.
“I think that a huge goal of Love, Family is to serve the youth of the community,” Knight said. “It is to support kids who are maybe not supported at home or at school; or just struggling with everything related to their identities.”

The third episode, released just last week, features VVAA executive committee member/treasurer, and ceramics and pottery studio director, Kathleen Birkholz. Birkholz is a charter member of the VVAA who has been active in the organization since its very beginning. During the conversation, Birkholz tells about her extraordinary life’s journey and recalls some of the interesting history of the VVAA and the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.

Upcoming episodes will feature artists and community members Chris Picior, Brenda Slocumb, Kippy Spilker, and Randy Bauman.
“As soon as we are done with that pool of people, we are hoping to broaden our horizons in the community,” Knight said. “It would be neat if maybe this could encourage people to write in and say, ‘I’d love to be on this!’ or ‘I know someone who would.’ And hopefully even broaden out not just Mesquite but into Moapa because there are some really good artists out there, too.”

The podcasts are available at www.mesquitefineartscenter.com/. Just click on the podcast tab on the left of the home page.

The programs can also be downloaded through just about any podcast app including Spotify, Podbean, Podchaser or Samsung.