Every Saturday in December, participating retailers in historic downtown McKinney will be open until 8:00 p.m.

Last-minute shoppers can enjoy the holiday spirit in one of the most charming downtowns in North Texas and even schedule a carriage ride to travel between boutiques, bookstores and art galleries.

Of course, nothing would make a more unique gift than original artwork and no visit to historic downtown McKinney is complete without a visit to Laura Moore Fine Art Studios. http://lauramooreart.com/home.html

Located at 107 S Tennessee in McKinney, Laura is currently featuring "William Patterson: Italy - Small Format, Large Views."

Termed a Classical Contemporary Realist, Patterson is above all a composer of spaces in the abstract sense. In his landscapes, he says he likes "to create 20 miles of space on a three-inch panel." In his still life paintings, he seeks to create his personal attraction to what he calls God's "little moments" of visual beauty.

William Patterson, Spring, Tuscany, 2010, oil on panel, 6" x 6".

Patterson, Professor Emeritus of Fine Art at the University of Massachusetts, was recently the Professor of Painting at the University of Georgia's program in Cortona, Italy, where he began his Cortona Series of drawings and paintings. European influences have long been a staple in Patterson's career.

Other galleries on the McKinney Square include Garret Art Gallery and Orisons.

Maybe a favorite old photograph, touched up and enlarged to poster size, could make the perfect Christmas gift.

If so, visit Mark Martin at Images on the Square http://www.imagingonthesquare.com/ to learn all the options available. Located at 109 S. Tennessee, Mark will also be happy to schedule a professional photography session.

Of course, there is always time to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts in the art galleries and boutiques that make downtown McKinney a pleasant and unique shopping experience.

The McKinney Square offers holiday shopping at over 100 boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, apparel, gift shops and antique stores. 

Shoppers can even arrange a memorable carriage ride downtown or through McKinney Historic District to appreciate Christmas decorations. Visit Happy Trails Carriage Service http://www.happytrailscarriage.com/ to learn more.

photos by Allen Rich