History

On November 10, 1914, seven women in McKinney gathered at the home of Mrs. J.E. Reeves to organize an art club. What began as a small group dedicated to exploring the arts soon grew into a legacy that continues more than a century later. Over the years, the club has carried several names, welcomed hundreds of members, and still meets every month to celebrate the beauty of art, friendship, and community.

At first, membership was limited to just 10 people, then expanded to 20, and eventually grew like wildfire. Both men and women became part of the club, united by a shared love of creativity and culture.

From its earliest years, the Art Club of McKinney was dedicated to education and enrichment. Members studied art history lessons, explored various artistic techniques, and even devoted different months to learning about the art and culture of countries around the world. This focus on knowledge and exploration set the tone for generations of artists and enthusiasts.

The Art Club of McKinney is the oldest art club in Texas—now proudly over 100 years strong. Our story is preserved in The First 50 Years, a book documenting the club’s early decades of growth and resilience. There’s also a companion supplement that continues the history beyond the first 50 years, capturing later milestones and achievements. Since our founding, more than 100 presidents have led the club forward while staying true to our mission of supporting the arts and our community.

The club’s annual member directories reflect its evolution. Early covers were lovingly handmade, sometimes painted, printed with patterns, or created with mixed media. Later editions were handwritten, then typewritten, then printed on dot-matrix printers, and today are produced digitally. The archives hold copies of each original directory, serving as a rich record of the club’s legacy.

Even during times of hardship—including the World Wars—the Art Club of McKinney remained active. Members supported war efforts, tightened budgets, and continued to meet, always finding ways to keep art and creativity alive during difficult years.

Over time, the club has also contributed to the community by donating art to local institutions such as the McKinney Post Office and the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, ensuring that the community shared in the joy of art.

Today, the Art Club of McKinney remains committed to education, inspiration, and community service. More than 110 years after its founding, it continues to thrive as a welcoming space where artists and art lovers gather to learn, share, and grow—celebrating a tradition that began with seven visionary women in 1914.