Stars of Dripping Springs
We are excited about the next phase of Stars of Dripping Springs!
Mercer Street now twinkles with a new kind of starlight as we launched our public art project and unveiled our first six star sculptures. The city-wide public art project celebrates the city’s identity as the first International Dark Sky Community in Texas and showcases local artistry while fostering community pride.
The sculptures, each painted by a local artist, represent a range of themes inspired by the Hill Country and the night sky.
The projectl expanded in 2025, sprinkling 10 more artistic stars throughout the city, highlighting Dripping Springs as a hub of creativity. In the future, residents and visitors can look forward to discovering these creative star sculptures in unexpected places, from shopping areas to the City’s beautiful parks and more throughout the City and ETJ. Each star will tell a unique story, reflecting themes tying into the night sky and the beauty of the Hill Country.
The Stars of Dripping Springs Public Art Project is a community-focused initiative aimed at bringing together artists, residents, and visitors to celebrate creativity and the beauty of public art. These sculptures are not only works of art but also symbols of hope, unity, and the boundless potential within our community.
The original six artists share their inspirations behind their stunning creations:
• Renèe D’Arienzo painted Everlasting, inspired by the quiet beauty of the Hill Country. “I chose the road runner, the cactus, and the monarch butterflies because they leave a lasting moment, even if they’re only here for a short time,” she said. “Under our dark skies, they symbolize the endurance of life’s spirit, which can feel timeless even if fleeting.”
• Michael Greenwald, a newcomer to the area, painted Heart of the Hill Country. “The heart on one side represents the heart of this region, and the other side depicts a landscape with the night sky and prickly pear cacti,” he said. “This whole landscape is new to me, and it was fun to capture its beauty on the star.”
• Cathy Richardson created Twinkle Bright My Texas Light, inspired by her nighttime walks. “Every night I walk my dog and look up at the sky. I hear the animals, and it grounds me,” she said. “This piece reflects the creativity I feel and the stories of the wildlife. I hope visitors discover new details each time they look at it, sparking curiosity and connection.”
• Erin Hounsel designed Preserving the Stars with a focus on the future. “The inspiration behind my star is God’s creation and how it’s gifted us with abundance here,” she said. “My kids are a huge inspiration to me, and I wanted to highlight how our Dark Sky Community reduces their carbon footprint. The design shows kids running on a trail with stars rising from their feet and being placed into the sky, symbolizing how we’re giving our children a brighter future.”
• Melissa Richardson created Magic Melody, blending music and family. “One thing that connects me to Dripping is my family, but also its music,” she said. “The front of the star has a guitar and the words ‘down in Dripping Springs,’ which is a Johnny Cash song. On the back, there’s a record surrounded by musical elements like a piano, symbolizing how music brings the community together.”
• London Farris took inspiration from local history for A Gathering Place. “I focused on the beginnings of Dripping Springs and the Tonkawa Indians who first gathered here,” she said. “The Milk House Branch, near Edwards Aquifer, was their gathering place. I wanted to pay homage to the Tonkawa Indians and their contributions to our city’s foundation.”
Here are our 2025 Star Installations:
Jessie Bostad - The Sacred Waters of Hamilton Pool: This star is inspired by the natural beauty and iconic landscape of Hamilton Pool, reflecting its emerald water, dramatic limestone formations, and significance as one of Dripping Springs’ most treasured natural landmarks.
Joe Christenson - Day & Night in the Hill Country: The star represents the beauty and rhythm of the Hill Country through two contrasting yet complementary perspectives: the vivid energy of daytime and the calm, atmospheric qualities of night. Together, they celebrate the natural landscapes and daily transitions that define life in the region.
Erin Hounsel – Roping the Stars : Hounsel's second star is a celebration of the area's rich history of ranchers and cattle farming. From the founding of Dripping Springs to today, Cattle ranching is still alive and well within our beautiful hill country community.
Cathy Richardson – Walk Among the Stars: This hand-painted Star was created for the City of Dripping Springs as a daily welcome to everyone who visits City Hall and our beloved Welcome Center. Each side of the Star celebrates something we share as a community—our parks and trails, local events, the natural environment and wildlife, and the people and stories that make Dripping Springs feel like home. The design connects visual symbols that represent our city with the interior welcome wall.
Melissa Richardson – Here Everything's Better:
Rozy Seastrom - Crafted in Community : This star is inspired by the spirit of Dripping Springs—a community rooted in connection, celebration, and a deep appreciation for nature. Its design transitions from the bright colors of daytime, highlighting local icons like the water tower, bluebonnets, and the area’s wineries and breweries, into the calming tones of night that honor our dark-sky heritage. Diverse skin tones, collage elements, and a multicolored rope symbolize the many people, stories, and shared experiences that come together to define Dripping Springs.
Tiffany Sierras - Stacks of Belonging: This star is inspired by the Dripping Springs Community Library and the memories built there with Sierra's children. Years ago, they visited the library every week—gathering books, connecting with the librarians, and creating a cherished family ritual. Those moments of discovery, storytelling, and community are what inspired this design and the sense of warmth, growth, and belonging it represents.
Jenny Swannack - Willies First Picnic: Swannack drew inspiration for her star from Willie Nelson's first Fourth of July Picnic hosted in Dripping Springs in 1973, a little known but significant piece of music history in Dripping Springs
Kyndall Womack - The In-Between: This star design captures the magic of Dripping Springs through sunrise and sunset scenes filled with native wildflowers, local wildlife, and small fairies meant to spark childlike wonder. A mare with her foal and a doe with her fawn symbolize the community’s connection to nature and the families who call this place home. Featuring only native blooms, the piece celebrates the natural beauty and Hill Country heritage that define Dripping Springs.
Jessie Woodhead - Pollinator's Dream: The “Pollinators’ Dream” star symbolizes an invitation to pause and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds Dripping Springs. Its composition features an intricate display of native plants and pollinator species, drawing viewers into a vivid story where the sun dips beyond the Hill Country horizon and the sky shifts from soft pink to deep, inky blue.
We are seeking sponsors for our 2026 round of stars! Why Sponsor Star Art Sculptures?
Visibility and Recognition:
As a sponsor, your organization will receive prominent recognition on all promotional materials, including banners, brochures, and social media campaigns.
Community Engagement:
Your support will demonstrate your commitment to enriching our community’s cultural landscape. By sponsoring this project, you will help create vibrant public spaces that foster community engagement and pride.
Positive Brand Association:
Aligning your brand with this unique and creative initiative will enhance your corporate social responsibility profile. It shows your dedication to supporting the arts and contributing to the community’s well-being.
Exclusive Opportunities:
Sponsors will be invited to exclusive events, including the unveiling ceremonies of the sculptures, providing networking opportunities with community leaders, artists, and other sponsors.
There are different levels of sponsorships, one is perfect for your organization. Contact Pam King at [email protected] or Lisa Sullivan at [email protected] for information on how you can become a sponsor!
