For better or worse, politics have become entangled with the everyday fabric of social media. What happens on a national scale gets the most attention, but involvement in local politics is where you can see a more profound difference in everyday life. Whatever your ideologies may be, we encourage you to take an active role in the democratic process by registering to vote before the upcoming May elections. A vote is the simplest way to participate, but putting in the effort to talk with community members and leaders is the valuable part of politics that refines great ideas. 

Anyway, here's where you can check out local art.

The Bearded Monk
122 E. McKinney St.
This wall features the different styles of Sanford Black. In addition to his art, you can buy stickers of his beer kid character. That's his work on the wall in this week's headline image.

Patterson-Appleton Arts Center
400 E. Hickory St.
Composite of the Soul ft. Justin Archer, Erik Beruvides, and Dan Black
Three local artists teamed up to present a three-dimensional installation utilizing wood sculptures, large-scale murals, and audio/video elements. Composite of the Soft provokes thought on building toward a better future without forgetting the past. The Dentonite recently stopped by to capture a photo essay on the exhibit. Walk through the Festival Hall until May for a free viewing.

30th Annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition & Exhibition
$5 entry (Free for GDAC members, students, and children under the age of 12.)
Anything can become art, and any artist can transform raw materials into an expressive visual. This annual exhibition was launched 30 years ago by Georgia Leach Gough, and it's now earned the recognition of being a premier craft exhibition. Visit the Meadows Gallery to view the multiple directions an art piece can go. 

Youth Art Month: Recent Works by Denton ISD Elementary Students
There's no such thing as being too young or too old to make art. Check out this delightful display from Denton's youngest artists inside the Gough Gallery. The exhibition is GDAC's part in celebrating National Youth Art Month. Viewing is free to the public.

Mulberry Street Cantina
110 W. Mulberry St.
Daniel Christopher McCullagh's surreal portraits on the wall at Mulberry Cantina are reminiscent of what it's like to stare at your own reflection in a crystal clear lake before dropping a pebble into the water. 

Scrap Denton
420 S. Bell Ave.
Scrap's gallery currently features works by Denton ISD's ATC commercial photography students. The featured art pieces available for sale are assemblages using re-purposed photo slides found in the Scrap store. Works are available for purchase and to immediately be taken home.

tAd Gallery
901 Ave. C, Ste. 101
The nifty gallery inside The Bowllery recently updated their space with MarpLondon's She Loves You, Yeah Yeah Yeah. The new exhibition explores the variations of love through different cultures underlined with an exploration of how society's understanding of feminine values affects the art of loving. MarpLondon's work will be available for viewing through May 6th.

West Oak Coffee Bar
114 W. Oak St.
Main Wall (the one over the couch)
Skye Rayburn loves the way quilts have comforting purpose and also are works of beautiful art. Rayburn earned a BFA in Fashion Design from UNT and has spent more than a decade working in the apparel industry. Now he's started his business Isle of Skye Studio with a focus on textile art. 

Back Wall (the one outside the kitchen)
The intimidation of drawing can discourage many from practicing their art skills. Meghan Rhoby Dale never thought she would like drawing until she discovered blind contour drawing. This technique released her from the rigidity of attempting to perfectly copy still-life setups. In this method, the artist keeps her eye on the subject without ever looking down at her drawing material. What's produced is a reflection of the intimate connection made between artist and subject.