ART at city hall: McKinney Through Our Eyes

What does McKinney look like through a child's eyes? Is it horses grazing in a pasture? A favorite shop or restaurant? A beautiful building? A neighborhood park, playground, or walking trail? Friday night football, golfing with family, colorful flowers, a beloved pet, or even the little lizard that visits your backyard?

The Art Club of McKinney invites children 12 years old and younger to share their unique vision of our community in our first 2026-27 Art at McKinney City Hall Exhibition!

🗓️ Exhibition Dates: September 1 – November 30

Art must remain on walls all three months.

✅ Artwork Check-In, lobby of McKinney City Hall, 401 E. Virginia Street

📍Tuesday, September 1: 9:00–11:00 a.m.• Wednesday, September 2: 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Artwork 

✅ Pick-Up

📍November 30: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

🎨 Artwork criteria:

📍Open to children ages 12 and under.

📍No entry fee.

📍Open to artists who live inside or outside McKinney, as long as the artwork depicts life in McKinney.

📍Artwork must be 2D (wall art) such as drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, or mixed media.

📍There is no specific size requirement (within reason).

📍Paper artwork must be framed AND under glass, acrylic, or Plexiglas.

📍Gallery-wrapped canvases (canvas wrapped around and stapled on a wood frame) or cradled wood panels do not require frames if the finished sides are suitable for display.

📍All artwork must be ready to hang and have D-rings and picture-hanging wire already on them. Please do not use string, yarn, or fishing line. No sawtooth hangars.

📍Artwork must be appropriate for display in a public civic building. The Exhibition Committee reserves the right to decline work that does not meet these guidelines.

🏷️ Please write parent or guardian’s name, email, and telephone on the back of the artwork prior to check in so that we can ensure the artwork’s return to you. Show labels will be generated at check in - these will be displayed to the public beside each child’s artwork.

🎨 The exhibition will feature at least 20 works of art, displayed throughout the first and second floors of McKinney City Hall, where visitors can enjoy them during regular City Hall business hours. 🎨

💵 Selling Artwork (Optional)

Artists who wish to offer their artwork for sale may include their contact information and price on the exhibition label completed at check-in. Sold artwork must remain on display until the exhibition closes on November 30, when buyers may take possession.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Parents, grandparents, teachers, homeschool families, and neighbors—we hope you'll encourage the young artists in your life to participate! There is nothing quite like seeing a child's artwork displayed in a professional public exhibition, where it can be enjoyed by the entire community.We can't wait to see McKinney through the eyes of its youngest artists! 😃🎉🪩🎨

❓Questions? Please email Dr. Trina Harlow at theartclubofmckinney@gmail.com.