Realtor Valarie Kerby Can’t Wait to Unveil ‘Tiny’ Butterflies in New Downtown McKinney Project

When Realtor and long-time McKinney resident Valarie Kerby heard about a new public art project coming to Historic Downtown McKinney, she was interested. When the request came to participate in the city’s upcoming Tiny Doors of McKinney installation, she was ecstatic.

“Are you kidding? Of course,” she said recently, remembering the time last spring when she got the call to help promote McKinney, the town she wants to advance at every turn.

A McKinney resident for almost 22 years, Kerby herself is sold on McKinney and will do what she can to promote her fair city. So, for Historic Downtown McKinney, her answer was swift.

The Tiny Door installation in McKinney was modeled after a similar art installation in Atlanta, created by artist Karen Anderson Singer. The project involves seven-inch doors that are installed in neighborhoods and buildings throughout Atlanta. According to its website, Tiny Doors ATL “are designed to reflect the spirit, architecture, and other unique elements of the surrounding community.” 

Now, the Tiny Doors have come to Downtown McKinney.

Kerby, a Realtor for 15 years, is known for using a butterfly as her logo. She finds beauty and inspiration in the winged creature. She found kismet in a McKinney artist known as Juju, who could be called the queen of butterflies, so to speak. Juju, who was classically trained in art at Evangel University, often depicts butterflies in her art.

“What can I say about butterflies?” Juju, who is often referred to as the “Butterfly Girl” herself, answered when asked why she’s drawn to butterflies. “They mean so much to different people — loss, memories, joy, new beginnings.

“To me, butterflies represent transformation, a secret strength, the inner beauty. We must grow into our own wings.”

For Kerby’s McKinney Tiny Doors installation, Juju created a colorful, butterfly-inspired entrance.

The winged door opens, revealing what she describes as “a sun-drenched world where the kaleidoscope of thousands rises as one, lending its beauty to all lucky enough to witness.”

Juju loves to participate in community events, and the Tiny Door installation was the type of quiet event she likes most. Her work can be seen locally hanging at the McKinney Art Gallery, as a mural at the Flower Mill, and now as a Tiny Door.

“I’ve been saying to myself this whole time while making my doors, tiny doors lead to big ideas,” said Juju.  

Juju’s creation delighted Kerby when the Realtor saw what the artist had designed.

“I love it,” she said, comparing the door’s size to a cell phone. “My door is a butterfly, so when you open it’s a butterfly sitting on a bloom. It’s a little peek of surprise.”

Kerby’s Tiny Door will be installed this week at Doug & Lynda’s Ski Shop, a longtime McKinney storefront at 227 E. Louisiana St. With her characteristic enthusiasm, she can’t wait for McKinney residents and visitors to see these 50 Tiny Doors installed in shops throughout Downtown McKinney.

“It brings awareness to the historic district of McKinney,” Kerby said. “I love that we’re bringing unique things to McKinney. I’m all about the historic district because I live here.”

The Tiny Doors of McKinney installation will kick off with an event Friday at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in Historic Downtown McKinney on the square.