One Million Stars Texas

One Million Stars Texas is facilitated by Austin-based batik and community artist Melissa Knight. We launched our Texas project in November 2020. Since then, we have grown a star weaving community in Texas. In Spring, 2023 we reached our first milestone goal to weave 10,000 stars together. Our goals for the project are to connect communities, be in conversation around issues of violence, collaborate with organizations and work together to grow our star weaving movement for violence-free communities - to join together in our solidarity against all forms of violence.

Like you, we are concerned about violence in our communities - gender-based violence, systemic racism, gun violence - We know that we need to work together to effect change. Every person should feel safe in their homes and communities without fear of violence. We are committed to working together to build safe and connected communities for everyone.

Read project founder Maryann Talia Pau’s article What impact has star weaving had on ending violence? on the One Billion Stars Website.

Star Weaving: An Indigenous Weaving Craft

The 8-pointed woven star comes from many Indigenous cultures including Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Torres Strait Islands. Star weaving encourages belonging, identity and pride. Weaving is more than a therapeutic and traditional craft; it is a powerful metaphor for understanding how we are all connected and how the impact of violence, whether it’s racism, gender-based violence or violence on the earth, hurts all of us. If weaving can help us to cope with grief and anger and find focus to do good, then maybe it can help others. Sharing the star weaving technique and weaving with others is not just about making beautiful star installations. It’s about sharing culture and tradition, ancient ways of being in community with each other over food, craft and healthy relationships. Star weaving is intergenerational.

Connecting Communities

Star weaving is a supportive, inclusive craft activity that can increase intergenerational dialogue, belonging and mental health. Building community connections and creating a safe sense of belonging is the heart of our star weaving movement. Every time a person weaves a star, they are expressing their hopes, dreams and concerns. Weaving stars helps us to feel less alone, less overwhelmed by the enormity of violence and more confident to face the next step. Let's work together to build more empowered, connected, and violence free communities using the power and therapy of weaving. Weave a star. Start a conversation.

If we can reach people through the simple, gentle, inclusive act of weaving to generate powerful, hopeful conversation and make something beautiful with our hands at the same time, then we can do many more incredible things together!

“Weaving, sharing stories and collaborating for a future free from violence.”

One Million Stars Texas has collaborated with Austin Public Library, Austin Public Health & City of Austin Senior Activity Centers, Ten Thousand Villages Austin, Austin Creative Reuse, Austin Allies, and Generation Serve.

Know of other organizations that may be interested in working with One Million Stars Texas? Please contact us!

Star installations In Spring, 2023, we reached our first milestone goal to weave 10,000 stars together. We are looking for a space to have our 10,000 stars installation. If you have ideas for a location to host star installation/s and/or hosting star weaving events. We are also seeking sponsorship to support One Million Stars Texas. If your organization is interested in supporting our work, please contact us! Visit our stars gallery for photos of our previous star installations.

Get Involved – Join our Star Weaving Community today.

Learn to weave stars, join a star weaving workshop, reach out to learn about starting a star weaving community or connect us with organizations, community groups and help us to reach more people who want to be part of connected and resilient communities and a future free from violence for all.

One Million Stars Texas has received support from:

One Billion Stars, the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, Austin Creative Alliance, Austin Public Library, Austin Public Health’s Age-Friendly Austin Program, Ten Thousand Villages, Austin Creative Reuse, Austin Allies, Generation Serve, YMCA, Amplify Austin Donors and star weavers like you. Thank you to all our star weavers for joining the star weaving movement for violence free communities.