Knoxville TN, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Knoxville’s Dolly Parton mural in Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery was recently vandalized, with unauthorized smoke added to the artwork. Megan Lingerfelt, the artist, restored the mural, thanks to protective anti-graffiti coating by Dogwood Arts. This has been a recurring issue, but community resilience shines as the mural continues to be a symbol of local artistry. Meanwhile, excitement builds for the Dolly Parton song voting event, set to determine her best song ever, highlighting her significant contributions to music.
Knoxville is once again grappling with vandalism aimed at its iconic Dolly Parton mural located in Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery. Over the weekend, the mural was altered when an unauthorized individual added smoke to the mouth of the revered singer depicted in the artwork. The mural’s artist, Megan Lingerfelt, confirmed that the mural has been restored to its original condition following the incident.
The mural has been a target for vandalism multiple times in recent years. Fortunately, Dogwood Arts has taken preventive measures by treating the mural with an anti-graffiti coating, enabling easy removal of any illicit additions. This coating has allowed for the mural’s quick restoration each time it has been defaced.
Shannon Herron, the marketing and creative director for Dogwood Arts, highlighted the community’s resilience and optimism in facing such setbacks. She referenced a well-known saying by Dolly Parton, emphasizing the idea that enduring challenges can lead to beauty and success. This incident marks the latest chapter in the ongoing struggle to protect public art in the downtown area.
In a related announcement, a voting event has been launched to determine Dolly Parton’s best song ever. The final round, titled the “Sequined Showdown,” will commence on September 5 and wrap up at 11:45 p.m. on September 9. During this voting event, popular songs have faced elimination; among them are “Islands in the Stream,” “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” and “Better Get to Livin’.” The overall winner will be revealed on September 16.
Dolly Parton, a legendary figure in the music industry, has recorded over 450 songs and released 66 studio albums—setting a record for female country singers as per Guinness World Records. The song competition bracket was created using her recent compilation album, “Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection,” released in 2022. Additionally, the bracket features an unofficial 24th track entitled “Joshua,” which marks her first No. 1 single from 1971.
With the dual focus on the mural’s frequent vandalism and the excitement generated by the song competition, the events surrounding Dolly Parton continue to engage her fans and the Knoxville community. The vibrant culture of Knoxville remains enriched by the artistic expressions and musical legacy that Parton represents, despite the challenges posed by vandalism. Community members remain hopeful for more positive and supportive experiences in the future.
FAQ
- What happened to the Dolly Parton mural in Knoxville? Vandals have once again attacked the Dolly Parton mural in Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery, Downtown Knoxville, by adding smoke to the mouth of the singer.
- Who is the artist of the mural? The mural’s artist is Megan Lingerfelt.
- How has the mural been protected from vandalism? Dogwood Arts has previously treated the mural with an anti-graffiti coating, allowing for easy removal of unauthorized additions.
- What is the current voting event related to Dolly Parton? There is a Dolly Parton song voting event to determine her best song ever, with the final voting round beginning on September 5 and ending at 11:45 p.m. on September 9.
- When will the winner of the best Dolly Parton song be announced? The winner will be announced on September 16.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Mural Vandalism | Dolly Parton mural in Knoxville has been targeted again by vandals adding unauthorized smoke. |
| Artist | Megan Lingerfelt is the artist responsible for the mural. |
| Restoration | The mural was quickly restored after the recent vandalism. |
| Protective Measures | The mural is treated with an anti-graffiti coating by Dogwood Arts for easy restoration. |
| Song Voting Event | A voting event to decide Dolly Parton’s best song begins on September 5 and concludes on September 9. |
| Winner Announcement | The best Dolly Parton song winner will be revealed on September 16. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WBIR: Vandals Strike Dolly Parton Mural
- Wikipedia: Dolly Parton
- WATE: Dolly Parton to Miss Dollywood’s 2026 Ride Announcement
- Google Search: Dolly Parton News
- Inside of Knoxville: Rhinestone Fest Turns 5
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dolly Parton
- Knox News: Dolly Parton Best Song Ever Vote
- Google News: Dolly Parton Vandalism
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
