Art Meets Poetry is a collaboration between the Mockingbird Poetry Society and the Art Club of McKinney. The purpose of the event is to unite greater McKinney artists and poets by inspiring creativity and seeing in new ways. As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
Art Meets Poetry 2026 Events
Opening Night Reception
5-7 p.m., Friday, February 6
Exhibit open during regular museum hours
Collin County History Museum
300 East Virginia St.
McKinney, TX 75069
Poetry Readings & Art Showcase
12-6 p.m. Saturday, February 7
Exhibit open during regular museum hours
Collin County History Museum
300 East Virginia St.
McKinney, TX 75069
How Art Meets Poetry Works
Phase 1 – Submit Original Work (Art or Poetry)
Deadline: Saturday, November 15, 11:59 p.m.
Phase 2 – Select & Interpret Someone Else’s Work
Window: Monday, November 17 – Saturday, December 13, 11:59 p.m.
(Reserve one poem or artwork to interpret out of the Phase 1 submissions.)
Phase 3 — Submit Your Finished Interpretation for Final Exhibition
Phase 3
Submit your finished interpretation and pay your fee online
Or, you can mail a check payable to Art Club of McKinney and note it “2026 Art Meets Poetry”
Art Club of McKinney
P.O. Box 243
McKinney, TX 75070
Deadline: Saturday, Jan 24 (11:59 p.m. CST)
Logistics
Dropoff and Pickup are at the following location:
Collin County History Museum
300 East Virginia St.
McKinney, TX 75069
- Physical Art Drop-Off: Thu, February 5, 4–7 p.m.
- Art Pick-Up: Sun, February 8, 12–2 p.m.
- If you can’t make any of these times, contact Kathryn Iklé in advance to arrange alternate times: theartclubofmckinney@mockingbirdpoets
Phase 2 Is Now Closed
Deadline: December 13, 2025 (11:59 p.m. CST)
Original Art Submissions:
View Artwork
Original Poetry Submissions:
View Poetry
To reserve a piece, please email Barry Rynk of the Mockingbird Poetry Society at ArtMeetsPoetryProgram@gmail.com and include the entry number of the piece you wish to interpret.
Phase 1 Submissions Are Now Closed
Phase 1 — Submit Original Work
What: Original poetry or art (you must own the rights)
Limits: Maximum of one submission
Fee: $5
Deadline: Saturday, November 15th, 11:59 p.m.
For alternate payment methods, please review the prospectus.
What happens after Phase 1? After the deadline, all eligible Phase 1 entries are posted in online galleries (one for poetry, one for art) for Phase 2 participants to review and select a work to interpret.
*Submitting in Phase 1 does not guarantee your work will be selected or included in the exhibition.
Prospectus
Make sure to download and read the prospectus for all key details about the show – important dates, requirements, submission instructions, and labels. Accommodation suggestions for those traveling from out of town are included in the prospectus, and they are also in the next section on this page.
Room Block
We have a room block at Home 2 Suites in McKinney for your convenience for February 6-8, 2026.
Rates
- $105 – Queen Studio Suite (One queen Bed + full sleeper sofa + kitchenette) – occupancy of four
- $119 – Double Queen Studio Suite (Two queen beds + kitchenette) – occupancy of four
Home 2 Suites
2630 South Central Expressway,
McKinney, Texas, USA, 75070
Reserve online, or call 800-774-1500. The booking code is ART.
View a compilation from the 2025 event.
Mockingbird Poetry Society 