Iconic ‘I believe in Nashville’ mural vandalized in 12South

An iconic mural painted five years ago was found vandalized Wednesday morning.

The mural is painted on the side of a building that houses 12South Dental Studio near Edley’s BBQ and Draper James on 12th Avenue South.

It became a popular place for tourists and visitors to have their photos taken to celebrate their trip to Music City.

The mural was painted in 2012 Adrien Saporiti for DCXV Industries and refurbished in 2013.

Nashville native Andy Howell owns the building where the mural is painted. He said a tenant of the building facing the mural texted him a picture of the vandalism early Wednesday morning.

“It’s unfortunate and disappointing, and we’ll have to clean it up and get it repainted,” he told News 2.

Howell said March 2017 marks the fifth anniversary of the mural. He said a celebration of the anniversary is planned for the end of March, and the mural will be repainted by then.

He told News 2 the substance on the mural appears to be roof coating, a tar-like sealant that will need to be scraped off.

Courtesy of WKRN News 2