AUSTIN, Texas - Visitors have been showing up to a popular East Austin mural in shock.
“I’m from Chicago and one of the best things to see in Austin was this mural," said Germaine Suiza. "So we just came by and now it's all vandalized.”
“While we were driving by I almost just wanted to make a U-turn and get out of here," said Harry Lee, who is also visiting from Chicago.
Some stuck around the top photo spot, while others walked away, but most were disappointed.
“It kind of takes away from the artwork that’s here that we came to enjoy," said Andrea Gibke, a University of Texas student. "It's covered up so we can't really get our cute picture that we wanted. It's almost kind of ruined."
The “You’re My Butter Half” mural is the latest East Austin art that’s been covered up with graffiti. The photo hotspot has been on United Way for Greater Austin’s building since 2012. The rude awakening came Wednesday morning.
“We were really sad for sure I mean it's been vandalized before, but this was the first time I had seen it vandalized to this extent,” said Amy Silvey, the group's Chief Development and Communications Officer.
Despite the damage, the nonprofit plans on repainting it.
"Austin is our butter half. The United Way for Greater Austin exists to serve this community. We're all about fighting poverty and bringing the community together in our mission," Silvey said. "So, it's really a love letter to Austin and to the people of Austin.”
The United Way of Greater Austin doesn't have any original paint from the mural. The group is trying to match the paint and round up some volunteers, so they can start fixing it as soon as possible