Wow so, for those of you who have been following the 1 Million Stars to End Violence project at Myer Melbourne it has now sadly come to an end. However, I hope that for all those who participated in it, that the memory and experience of it will share a special place in your heart as it has in mine.
For those who are interested, you can continue to support the 1 Million Stars project as a whole by sending more stars into Maryann for her final 2018 installation. You can find more info about that here.
The response and support that we have received with this project collaboration at Myer has been nothing short of overwhelming. From the generosity of our sponsors Active Display, Kerrie Hess, Gift packaging and Stage One. To our workshop volunteers who have so kindly donated their time to teach people. To all those who also took the time out of their busy lives to stop and weave a star. And last but not least, the incredible Maryann Talia Pau (project founder) who came up with this brilliant idea of weaving 1 Million Stars to stand against violence, and displaying them in installations around the world.
It has been truly wonderful to see so many people join together and unite in standing against violence. It was everyone’s passion and enthusiasm that really made the star weaving workshops such a positive experience. Not only was it a fun activity for a great cause but many participates also found it to be quite therapeutic. I myself was truly touched by hearing many peoples stories and journey’s in wanting to make a difference. I think many would agree that there was an incredible sense of community and hope in each and every one of those workshops.
Personally, I am very proud to have had coordinated this project on behalf of Myer. Everyone together has played such an integral part in making this project the success that it was, of which I am sincerely grateful for.
Over 4200 stars where woven for this collaboration. With over 2300 of those having been woven at our in store workshops in Myer Melbourne over a 5 week period. And the rest being woven by various individuals in the broad community. Including Grow Church Melbourne, WOW (Women of Warrandyte), and Melbourne Life Church.
All of these stars woven where accumulated into various displays around the store. For those of you that missed out on seeing the stunning star installations at Myer Melbourne. I have collated them below. Each of these installations where designed by myself as art director for the project.
Over 800 giant paper stars where woven for this installation by the broader community. The atrium installation was a collaboration between myself and Stage One. I came up with the concept and they constructed and installed it. Sponsor Active Display provided the materials for the paper stars to be made.
Over 1000 stars woven in our in store workshops at Myer, make up this window that was installed in support of International Women’s Day on March 8th. The window, depicts a woman crying over the city of Melbourne. It acknowledges and mourns for the women who are suffering as a result of the violence that is happening in and around the city. It is also a call to action, encouraging people to choose peace and love over violence.
The window concept was created by myself and illustrated by sponsor Kerrie Hess. Structure of the woman’s hair made by sponsors Stage One and city buildings and decals printed by sponsors Active Display.
