A new art installation in Little Elm is honoring U.S. soccer player Weston McKennie as the country prepares for the World Cup. The artwork, a large-scale collage, is located at Tinman Social, situated at 199 Main St. Little Elm is about 7 miles west of Frisco.
Chobani, identified as the official nutrition partner for U.S. Soccer, commissioned the piece. The company unveiled three similar installations in the hometowns of different players. The Little Elm display focuses on McKennie, aiming to highlight the people and events that contributed to his career.
Artist Michael Mapes created the collage by assembling dozens of images and objects. These elements represent various stages of McKennie’s life, including his childhood, family background, career achievements, and personal experiences. Mapes spent several months researching the player’s history before beginning the assembly process.
Mapes described the project as a visual biography. He stated that his work involves breaking down a person into parts to re-represent them as a whole. The goal was to provide viewers with a sense of who McKennie is, rather than just what he looks like.
Visitors to the installation have responded to the work. One attendee noted how the piece functions like a puzzle, breaking down the player’s story into distinct sections. Another visitor remarked on the global representation possible regardless of one’s origins.
