One thing everyone does when visiting a destination is snap photos to take home memories and share the fun with friends and family. Murals make great photo backdrops, and McKinney's mural collection, along with its other public art, keeps growing. Most of these pieces are found outdoors in the historic district. Below are some of the standout works you can find in Historic Downtown McKinney and beyond.
First City-Funded Mural - Cadillac Pizza
The first city-funded mural can be found on the south side of the building where patrons dine at Cadillac Pizza Pub (112 S. Kentucky). In 2016, artist Misty Oliver-Foster created the 39-foot wide painting that depicts the city's heritage in the cotton industry as well as wildflowers representing Texas and the culture found in McKinney's dining and arts movements.
Funky Mural - Mellow Mushroom
The colorful Mellow Mushroom mural has been a downtown favorite since 2013. It's on the west outside wall of the pizza restaurant at 218 E. Louisiana, and it's still one of the most photographed spots in town for families and food tour groups alike.
Andrea Holmes' Murals Around Downtown
McKinney artist Andrea Holmes has become the go-to muralist downtown, with pieces scattered throughout the historic district and across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
- Hunter's Mural: An 80-foot tribute to the late artist Hunter Haney, painted just south of Louisiana Street.
- Visit McKinney Mural: A special piece at the Visitor Experience Center, 200 W. Virginia, honoring the idea that every McKinney resident and business owner first arrived as a visitor.
- Fair & Square Imports Mural: A 100-foot mural celebrating Texas nature—cactus, armadillos, wildflowers, birds, and sunshine—on the building at 219 E. Louisiana, at the corner of Louisiana and Johnson.
- Wings of McKinney: A two-level bird mural on the north wall and retaining wall of the building at 500 S. Tennessee, about three blocks south of the square.
- Viva McKinney: Painted in 2020 during the pandemic, this mural was commissioned by owners Pam and Onel Perez as an ode to Onel's mother, Ana. The artwork blends elements of Ana's passport and wedding photos, bringing vibrancy and joy to all who see it. Ana passed away just months before the mural was completed. This mural can be found at 104 S. Chestnut.
You can see Andrea Holmes' full collection of McKinney murals on her website.
McKinney Blooms
Installed in early 2019, this green mosaic-and-paint mural covers the south wall of the Chestnut Commons parking garage at E. Virginia and N. Chestnut. Houston artist Reginald Adams created "McKinney Blooms" through a partnership between the City of McKinney and developer The Sanchez Group. It sits between Foxiis Restaurant and Bar and Arcade 92, so it's an easy stop on an East Virginia Street evening out.
W.O.W. Building - Bicycle Mural
On South Tennessee Street, the north wall of the historic W.O.W. Building carries a bicycle-themed mural, right where Cadence Cyclery and its in-house coffee shop, Wattage Coffee Company, call home. It's become a favorite backdrop for social media photos.
The Silo Murals at the Flour Mill: World-Famous Mural Artist Guido van Helten
McKinney's largest mural project transformed the historic grain silos at the old Flour Mill, on the east side of Highway 5 between Louisiana and Virginia. World-renowned mural artist Guido van Helten spent several months in McKinney, photographing city events and meeting residents before creating artwork meant to reflect the diversity of the community. The project was completed in late summer 2022 and remains one of the most striking public art pieces in the city.
Murals at The Cotton Mill (MillHouse)
The Cotton Mill property, home to MillHouse McKinney, has grown into one of the largest collections of murals in the city. What started as a public art project in 2020 expanded through three outdoor MuralFest events in 2022, 2023, and 2024, bringing artists from across Texas and beyond to paint original designs on the property's walls. Today, the Cotton Mill is home to 33 murals, and you can follow the mural map on the MillHouse website for a self-guided walk through the collection. MillHouse also hosts indoor ArtFest twice a year, in summer and winter, if you want to pair your mural walk with a stop to shop local art and handmade goods.
Other Public Art Installations in McKinney
Murals are not the only public art gracing the sidewalks, buildings, and parks in Downtown McKinney and beyond. Other public art installations include:
Plan a Mural Walk
Want a guided experience? Visit McKinney partners with Jump Into Art Studios to offer free guided walking tours of downtown's murals and public art, led by local artists who share the stories behind each piece. Tours start at the Visitor Center, 200 W. Virginia. If a guided tour doesn't fit your schedule, download the McKinney TX app for a self-guided tour that lets you listen to the history behind each mural as you walk.
More Public Art
Check out these other public art installations across McKinney!
