Last week a sculpture commissioned by the Dogwood Arts Festival and created by two UT Knoxville students was vandalized beyond repair. A $1,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the vandalism, which took place in James Agee Park in Fort Sanders.
The sculpture was created over a six-month period by students Seth Collins and Zac Benson. Collins and Benson received a $1,000 grant for materials to create the sculpture, which was part of a class learning project in which students submitted proposals for public art projects to be installed for the Dogwood Arts Festival. Collins and Benson’s project was selected and commissioned.
Last week, Knoxville City Councilman Nick Pavis, offered a $500 reward for information leading to those responsible for the incident. On Monday, that amount was matched by local businessman David Shiflett. Pavis represents South Knoxville and Fort Sanders on the City Council. Shiflett is a partner in Parker Shiflett and Co.
If you have information regarding the vandalism, contact the Knoxville Police Department at 215-7000.