A new exhibition titled "America 250: Texas Trailblazing Wonder Women" will open this summer at the Atrium Gallery inside McKinney’s historic Cotton Mill Arts District. Organized by the MillHouse Foundation, the show features 25 large-scale works by Texas artists, each honoring influential women from the state’s history, including Ann Richards, Simone Biles, Mary Kay Ash, and Selena Quintanilla. The exhibition runs from June 12 through August 30, with a public reception on June 27, and all pieces will be available for purchase.
The exhibition matters because it marks the launch of the Atrium Gallery, a new permanent walk-through space that transforms the Cotton Mill’s central hallway into an accessible, open-format viewing experience. By blending portraiture with interpretive storytelling and contemporary design, the show not only celebrates the semiquincentennial of the United States but also supports local artists economically and reinforces the Cotton Mill’s role as a creative hub in North Texas.