The Art Box

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Every painting, every song, every photograph, every chunk of clay, every poem, every book, every dance, every artistic creation has a human story behind it. We just happen to have 377+ of them for you to enjoy. Listen to us at your leisure on Apple, Spotify, Podbean, Samsung, iHeartRadio, Boomplay, Amazon Music, Podchaser or your favorite podcast app. The Art Box a lively and engaging discussion about creativity and humanity in the Virgin Valley of Nevada and beyond.

  1. 3H AGO

    The Art Box - Episode 418 – Leigh Ratterman: A “Kinda Cowgirl” Finds Her Voice in Cowboy Poetry

    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

    37 min

  2. 1D AGO

    The Art Box - Episode 416 - Ben Larson – New Tales From Old Montana

    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/

    55 min

  3. 3D AGO

    The Art Box - Episode 415 - Magic Happens When You Are Creating - Patricia Leavy

    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/

    53 min

  4. 6D AGO

    The Art Box - Episode 414 – Celebrating Community

    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.

    50 min

  5. MAR 7

    The Art Box - Episode 413 - East Fremont Street Fair

    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.

    18 min

  6. MAR 1

    The Art Box - Episode 408 - Oral Story Telling is Art - Meet Brad McMullen

    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.

    46 min

  7. MAR 1

    The Art Box - Episode 407 - Art Is an Emotional Connection: A Fun Chat with Gus Brackett

    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.

    54 min

  8. FEB 28

    The Art Box - Episode 406 - Parking Lot Serendipity: Nevada Travel Meets The Art Box in Elko

    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/

    13 min
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About

Every painting, every song, every photograph, every chunk of clay, every poem, every book, every dance, every artistic creation has a human story behind it. We just happen to have 377+ of them for you to enjoy. Listen to us at your leisure on Apple, Spotify, Podbean, Samsung, iHeartRadio, Boomplay, Amazon Music, Podchaser or your favorite podcast app. The Art Box a lively and engaging discussion about creativity and humanity in the Virgin Valley of Nevada and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    vvarts
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    400
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Art Box