Atop scaffolding, local artist Dan Black is separated from onlookers by a fancy, red velvet stanchion looped between brass poles, a classy nod to the importance of his work. He is creating a masterpiece inside the new Discover Denton Welcome Center (DDWC). He stretches his tall frame to add tiny detail to a Redbud bloom. The crowd ooohs and ahhhs, awaiting his next break when he will autograph prints of his working sketch.
This scene was repeated throughout Arts & Jazz Fest last weekend when more than 500 people visited the DDWC for the final public preview. They marveled at the 12-foot-tall by 14-foot-wide mural underway, the elements of Denton lifestyle unmistakable. Even unfinished, the painting evoked Denton’s special vibe.
The mural elements include illustrations related to the entities that partnered with the Denton Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) to make this artwork possible within the dynamic space that will showcase Denton now and far into the future.
The bloom Dan painted in that scene is atop of a fully budding branch. It represents the first of our mural sponsors, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) where Denton’s love affair with Redbud trees first began. A 1930s era TWU beautification project included 2,000 Redbud trees and led to the naming of Redbud Lane on the campus. Soon after, the glorious pink buds began showing up across the city, and in 1993, the 73rd Texas Legislature named Denton the “Redbud Capital of Texas.” Fast forward to April 2007, and TWU’s new performing arts theatre was aptly christened Redbud Theatre. Redbuds are an everlasting symbol of the shared story between TWU and Denton.
A great, green eagle soars through the middle of the mural. It speaks to the spirit of the University of North Texas (UNT), our next mural sponsor. While we know UNT as the Mean Green, the eagle has long been its mascot. The mural’s eagle is posed mid-flight like that of the giant bronze statue at the center of campus.
A tall, white wind turbine with the sun shining bright behind it represents the next mural sponsor, Denton Municipal Electric (DME). Denton is a city with laser focus on environmental initiatives, and DME is a huge player moving us forward. Already at 40 percent renewable energy, the plan is for Denton to be at 70 percent very soon.
A giant guitar and bearded singer make note in the mural of Denton’s thriving music scene. A three-dimensional mini version of the Campus Theatre marquee and the painting itself are statements about the vitality of our city infused by the arts. Students donned in TWU, UNT and #dentoning shirts speak to the verve and diversity that makes Denton rich in originality and independence.
One of the students carries a newspaper, a tribute to our next mural sponsor, the Denton Record-Chronicle. At one time the only news source for all of Denton County, the Denton Record-Chronicle has covered Denton since before the dawn of the 20th century.
Other students carry shopping bags symbolic of the role the Golden Triangle Mall and the Rayzor Ranch Town Center play in our economy. These two shopping meccas are assets to Dentonites and visitors alike.
Golden Triangle Mall’s recent facelift and new, hip stores like The Buckle, Francesca’s and H&M filled a gap for trendy shopping, plus new dining options like Corner Bakery now surround its footprint.
The north side of Rayzor Ranch Town Center is already a thriving shopping district with Academy Sports, Walmart, Kohl’s and other cool places to shop, dine and enjoy. Anchored by the now-underway Denton Convention Center, the south side of Rayzor Ranch will soon up the bar yet again.
A bright orange van anchors the bottom corner of the mural. Frenchy is our final sponsor highlight, our city’s original social messaging outlet. Frenchy’s famous van of fame includes a metal plate with removable blue letters. DDWC visitors can stage a selfie with the message of their choosing and walk away with a souvenir of their “Frenchy famous” moment.
A horse, wind in his mane, nods to the North Texas Horse Country and the thousands who visit Denton every year to see the largest equine population and diversity of breeds and disciplines of any place on Earth.
This masterpiece mural tells the Denton story through an artist’s eyes. To compliment Dan’s work, local digital artist Eddie Renz created a mural legend to help visitors discovering Denton for the first time fully appreciate the painting’s elements.
Denton’s newest attraction is not to be missed. And it’s one among many reasons to visit the new DDWC as soon as we open later this month. We can’t wait to welcome you!
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