The Art Box - Episode 342 - When We Help Others, We Help Ourselves - Meet Tanoo Senethavilay

The Art Box

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 was a conversation worth having.

What started as a simple idea for a podcast took a profound turn when Tanoo revealed he’s also a Buddhist monk living at Watpa Temple in Las Vegas. With artist and fellow seeker Jeannie Hua joining as co-host, Steve visited the temple for a heartfelt evening filled with laughter, wisdom, and unexpected revelations—including a brief moment of confusion when Tanoo’s shaved head threw Steve off at the gate.

This episode explores Tanoo’s journey through art, spirituality, and service, from his murals on 14th Street to his reflections on Buddhism, creativity, music, and the light we all carry within. You’ll hear about the healing power of public art, the discipline of monkhood, and the ever-curious nature of the human third eye.

Stick around to the end to hear Tanoo’s original track: “Real Eyes Realize Real Lies.”
(Note: We had over two hours of beautiful conversation with Tanoo—so Steve had his work cut out trimming this down to an hour. Believe us when we say, there’s more we wish we could have shared.)

Should you wish to contact Tanoo he can be reached at: [email protected]

Learn more about Watpa Buddhayan Meditation Center at: https://www.watpabuddhayan.org/