The stars at night remain big and bright deep in the heart of Texas thanks to the hard work and dedication of Texas Hill Country residents and businesses. In 2014, Dripping Springs was the first city in Texas to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community, and the sixth one in the world. Since then, the city, its residents and business partners have diligently maintained that unique distinction. There are a lot of benefits to being in a dark sky community.
We’re extremely proud of our beautiful night sky and view of the stars. It’s one of the highlights that makes Dripping Springs the best little city in Texas! Thus, we celebrated our night skies with an exciting ‘Stars of Dripping Springs’ Public Art Project. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Dripping Springs, the Destination Dripping Springs, sponsor HEB, and our local artists to make this initiative possible.
The City of Dripping Springs is planning a third round of Stars in 2026. See the following page for more details: City of Dripping Springs – Stars Program
The Dripping Springs Art League looks forward to working with the City to present another round of Stars to our artists and community. Stay tuned for more information.
The following artists have already created the beautiful stars below that are now sprinkled along West Mercer Street in downtown Dripping Springs as well as among the parks and businesses in the area. Next time you are in Dripping Springs with your family and guests, take a stroll along Mercer or other Star locations to enjoy these bright additions to Dripping Springs.
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.”
“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.”
“This star reflects the magic of the Texas night sky, the stories of nature, and the sense of wonder they inspire. With native wildlife, plants, and a peaceful nocturnal landscape, it invites viewers to slow down, look closely, and connect with the creativity, curiosity, and quiet beauty found in the Hill Country after dark.”
Designed 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.”
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.”
Took inspiration from local history. “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.”
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.
Location: Flying Fish Swim Academy
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.
Location: Ally Medical
Erin’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.
Location: Dripping Springs Ranch Park
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.
Location: Dripping Springs City Hall
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.
Location: Deep Eddy Vodka
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.
Location: Founders Memorial Park
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 symbolizes 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.
Location: Charro Ranch Park
A tribute to our Presenting Sponsor HEB.
Location: HEB Dripping Springs
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.
Location Sports & Recreation Park
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.
Location: Veterans Memorial Park
