If you stroll through downtown Dripping Springs, you may start seeing stars. That is, six larger-than-life, star-shaped sculptures—each hand-painted by a local artist—now adorn Mercer Street, bringing new color and community spirit to the streetscape.
These stars are the first installment in the Stars of Dripping Springs public art initiative launched by the City of Dripping Springs. “We wanted to bring fun and whimsy to the community,” says Lisa Sullivan, People and Communications Director for the City.
Lining Mercer Street, each star is uniquely designed to reflect Drip’s character, drawing inspiration from Hill Country themes like music, history, nature, and the night sky.
Sullivan sees them as symbols of place and progress. “If I had to put into words the ‘style’ of Dripping Springs, it’s Hill Country and open sky. The open sky transcends everything from the past to the future,” she says. “Whether you’re old or you’re new, that’s what you want to protect, and that’s why you’re coming here.”
The star shapes themselves pay tribute to Dripping Springs’ status as the first International Dark Sky Community in Texas and the sixth in the world.
With a nod to that dark-sky honor, artist Cathy Richardson’s “Twinkle Bright My Texas Light” was inspired by her nighttime walks beneath the star-filled Dripping Springs sky. “Through my star, my aim is to encourage our community to experience a personal sense of natural wonder and to foster a deeper connection to the place we all call home,” she shares.
To bring the project to life, the City partnered with the Dripping Springs Art League to tap into the area’s artistic community. The first six stars—largely funded through a sponsorship from H-E-B—are currently on display along Mercer Street.
“It’s been really well received,” says Pam King, the City’s Tourism Manager. “Every day, I see people stopping, looking at the stars, taking pictures with them. That’s exactly what we hoped would happen.”
Artist Melissa Richardson, whose “Magic Melody” blends the themes of music and family, agrees: “I love seeing how the stars have made people smile. It adds a sense of wonder to our little Mercer Street, a sense of togetherness that ties one end of Mercer to the other.”
In that way, the project is about celebrating the unique soul of Dripping Springs, a community shaped by both tradition and transformation.
King reflects on this identity: “We have this very old Dripping Springs that’s the foundation of everything that happens here. And now there’s this very new, younger generation moving here to raise families. The big picture is bringing that together to find common ground.”
“We all believe in community,” she continues. “We all believe in trying to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. The stars reflect that spirit.”
Carrying that energy forward, 10 additional stars will debut this fall, popping up throughout Drip in local parks, at City Hall, and in front of the Dripping Springs H-E-B. King anticipates the stars will draw travelers to the area and encourage residents to engage with the art. Artist Renee D’Arienzo, whose star is titled “Everlasting,” says, “I hope the stars bring more color and uniqueness to show visitors just how special we are.”
So the next time you find yourself on Mercer Street, look to the stars: “It’s really exciting to see this brightening up of our downtown area, which shows what it feels like to be in our community,” says King. “The stars will be part of our destination. But, more than that, they’re part of our shared identity.”
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“If I had to put into words the ‘style’ of Dripping Springs, it’s Hill Country and open sky." - Lisa Sullivan