Posted by Abbey Snow | Aug 13, 2022 | Arts, Clubs / Groups, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Top Stories, Virgin Valley Artists Association | 0

The Virgin Valley Artists Association has expanded their public outreach content to include a fairly new media podcast. Steve Dudrow and Rachelle Knight are the hosts of the podcast ‘The Art Box.’ The Art Box was first introduced on June 13, 2022 when they held their first podcast. They hold two podcasts a month featuring interviews with local, regional, and national artists, art enthusiasts and people who use art in their career, hobbies and daily lives. 

Steve Dudrow is a Virgin Valley Artists Association Board of Director, Co-Webmaster,and Co-Host for The Art Box. Rachelle Knight is a Virgin Valley Artists Association Board of Director, Co-Webmaster,and Co-Host for The Art Box. Dudrow said that he and Rachelle Knight both became board members of the Virgin Valley Artists Association this year. As a group, the board talked about opportunities to enhance the VVAA’s public outreach, member involvement and to stimulate creativity among their members and the public. One item they considered was a podcast. Podcasts have become very popular and are a great way for the community to get to know local people and organizations. Neither of them had podcast experience. They started their research by listening to other podcasts. Rachelle found Art Juice , a podcast based out of the UK. They both enjoy the personalities of the hosts, Alice and Louise. Their subject matter revolves around art, but also includes stories of their day-to-day lives as artists. They are funny, light hearted and share personal aspects of their art: joys, frustrations, successes and failures. Steve drifted to a podcast about dinosaurs called Paleo Nerds . The hosts interview an array of talented guests. They find time to laugh, share information about themselves and educate their listeners about various topics in paleontology. These two podcasts formed the basis of what they wanted their podcast to be; a place to talk about art, interview interesting guests and share their love of art and artists. 

“We presented a podcast proposal to the VVAA Board of Directors,” Dudrow said. “ It was well received and after a unanimous vote we were given a budget of twice what we had asked. A number of names for the podcast were discussed and we decided to go with The Art Box, a suggestion by Kathleen Birkholz, the treasurer of the VVAA.It took us about two months to get ready, including the purchase of necessary equipment, finding recording rooms, and developing a guest preparation packet before we recorded our first episode. We both agreed that Tyler Roylance should be our first guest. Tyler is an art teacher at Virgin Valley High School and drawing instructor for the Virgin Valley Artists’ Association. Tyler rocked the first episode, and we were off and running.We like to say we ‘think outside the Art Box’.”

Steve Dudrow is a Retired software application architect, with no formal art training. He felt his art through the years was the creativity he used to architect unique solutions for his business. Steve’s art experience has been his love of photography and as a certified Bureau of Land Management cultural site graffiti technician. He was Artist in Residence at Capitol Reef National Park this entire July recording their Night Skies and leading Campground talks. Steve has garnered VVAA Exhibition awards: One Best in Show, One 1 st Place, One Mayor’s Choice and two Honorable mentions. 

Rachelle Knight also has a background in software development. She retired from the technology field three years ago to pursue her art as a profession. She rents studio space from the VVAA and paints full time. Her colorful artwork can be seen around the city of Mesquite on various utility boxes as well as in the Mesquite Fine Arts Center. She has garnered numerous VVAA Exhibition awards including Best in Shows, 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd places and honorable mentions. 

So far in their podcasting experiences, they have held some memorable podcast interviews they recall. 

“My most “light bulb” moment was when Tyler told us about all the great artists who painted realistic scenes of the world, landscapes, and portraits,” Dudrow said “He explained that someone invented a box; a box that could take pictures. Suddenly the art world changed, there was no need for realistic art. Artists were free to invent their own styles, explore new techniques and start an array of movements within the art world. They became free to follow their talents and to flow outside of traditional, realistic art. A new world of art was unleashed.Each of our guests have made us smile, helped us learn, and have even made us cry with their life stories. My most heartfelt interview was when my co-host Rachelle stepped to the other side of The Art Box desk and explained to us how she became an artist. She is a true hero who overcame so much and then used her art to heal her soul and bless our eyes with magnificent colors, flowers, and birds, creating imaginative and meaningful paintings. Not to mention she is the best co-host ever.” 

“I have really enjoyed all our guests,”Knight said. “They are unique in their personalities, life stories, and of course, their art. Kathleen Birkholz, the treasurer of the VVAA, gave an amazing interview. She was instrumental in creating the VVAA and was a founding member. It was fascinating to hear the history of the VVAA as well as her life story. Her interview was so easy; she is very articulate, and it was such a pleasure to hear about her incredible life. Dana Long, founder of Love Family Nevada  (https://lovefamilynv.com/) gave an amazing interview. She talked about the creation of her organization, the wonderful programs she is creating for the youth of the community and about the awesome Mesquite Pride Weekend last June. She is awe-inspiring; sunshine radiates from her soul. I don’t know anyone who has met her who hasn’t instantly become her biggest fan.” 

Dudrow said in two weeks, they will release a great interview with Brenda Slocumb, the Operations Manager for Friends of Gold Butte. Brenda is a wonderful artist who leads paint nights for the Friends of Gold Butte and is a talented cake maker. They have some of her great, almost great and almost disaster stories of custom cakes in the 100+ degree climate of Southern Nevada. Also coming are: 

“We are finalizing a series of quick fun episodes of just 10 minutes each,”Dudrow said. “Our plan is to have experienced artists talk about various aspects of their craft, maybe even a couple will debate subjects like the color of the sky, The Hobbit or oil versus acrylic.” 

“We are always looking for guests,” Dudrow said. “It is a fun opportunity to share local art, amazing life stories and involve the community in the burgeoning art community in the Virgin Valley. We allow our guests to chart their interview; we chat, laugh, and let the conversation flow. If you are interested in being a guest on The Art Box, please email us at: artboxvv@gmail.com ”  

For those who would like to listen to the podcast, they can find it on the The Virgin Valley Artists’ Association Web Site: https://www.mesquitefineartscenter.com/ and look on the left side for the Podcast button. 

Additionally, the podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms: Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify, Samsung, Podbean and others.

Steve Dudrow and Rachelle Knight (photo credit Steve Dudrow)

Jeff and Rachelle Knight (photo from the website)

Steve Dudrow (photo from the website)

Steve Dudrow (photo from the website)

Reporter/Journalist- 'Journalism & Mass Communications' at Ashford University. ESL Teacher. Habló Español

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