A large-scale mural depicting country music legend Dolly Parton now adorns the exterior of the Stagecoach Ballroom in Fort Worth. The artwork has attracted visitors who stop to take photographs and pay tribute to the singer, who died on August 25 at age 80 following a short illness with cancer.
Artist Juan Velasquez created the piece after observing how Parton’s passing affected his daughter. He approached the owners of Stagecoach regarding the project, and they agreed to host the tribute, describing it as an honor to feature the icon on their property. Velasquez stated that he wanted the mural to reflect Parton’s life and her message of kindness and community service.
The venue itself holds a long history in Fort Worth, having opened in 1961 near the Stockyards before moving to its current location on East Belknap Street following a fire in 1967. It has hosted numerous country music stars over the decades and received an official historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission in 2024.
Jean Tchaikowski-Desai, a co-owner of Stagecoach, noted that she grew up listening to Parton’s music and felt the tribute was meaningful. Photographer Roman Pena documented the two-day creation process, noting how impressive it was to watch the image take shape. He is now planning to mark specific spots in the parking lot with footprints to help manage crowds of people visiting for selfies.
Visitors have shared positive reactions to the artwork. Yvette Gonzalez, who already owned a T-shirt featuring the same image, said she admired Parton’s humor and kindness through her interviews. Miriam Astorga viewed the mural as a symbol of community impact, noting that she buys Parton’s books for her grandchildren to encourage reading.
